Pope Francis died of stroke and heart failure: Warning signs of stroke in elderly

After a prolonged illness, Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 in Rome on Easter Monday, a month after getting discharged from the hospital post his 38-day stay. The Vatican said the leader of the Roman Catholic Church died of a stroke that put him into a coma and led to heart failure.

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is blocked or reduced which prevents brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients or when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or bursts causing bleeding in the brain.

"Pope Francis suffered a fatal cerebral stroke on April 21, 2025, due to a combination of advanced age (88) and serious underlying health conditions. He had high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, lung disease (bronchiectasis), and had recently recovered from double pneumonia and acute respiratory failure. These factors, along with the physical and emotional demands of his role, made him highly vulnerable to a stroke," Dr Praveen Gupta, Principal Director & Chief of Neurology, Fortis Gurgaon, told TOI Digital.

The declaration of death mentioned that Pope had Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, which are risk factors for stroke. His chronic lung condition called bronchiectasis made him more susceptible to lung infection and pneumonia.

Dr. Burton Dickey, a pulmonary and critical care physician at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston told the New York Times that when an infection occurs in a patient with bronchiectasis, things may go from bad to worse.

In such a case a minor airway infection can extend into the tiny air sacs where the lungs and blood exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide, causing pneumonia. This can in turn increase the tendency for blood clot formation, increasing the likelihood of stroke, Dr. Dickey added. A massive stroke can lead to coma as in Pope's case.

Pope Francis's stroke led to “cardiocirculatory collapse” which happens when the heart and lungs can no longer function.

Signs of stroke you may spot in elderly

Here are some of the signs of stroke in men and women, including the elderly that should not be ignored:

Sudden numbness: Not facing any sensation or a tingling sensation in the face, hands, feet, arms, legs, or other extremities can be a warning sign of a stroke. It can also cause loss of feeling on one side of the body.

Confusion: People suffering from stroke may not be able to comprehend their situation or lose the ability to think clearly. They may have a puzzled look on their face, have difficulty focusing, or experience difficulty making decisions.

Severe headache: Many people may experience a sudden or severe headache or pain in the scalp or neck without any known cause. They may have light sensitivity and discomfort in their head.

Loss of balance: Stroke can also lead to problems in standing, walking or moving at all. Affected people may start to trip or suddenly become very clumsy. They may also struggle to hold things properly.

Dizziness: Feeling lightheaded or a spinning sensation could be a red flag for stroke.

Blurred vision: People may have trouble with their eyesight and they may start to squint or rub their eyes, unable to read anything.

Trouble speaking: Not able to speak, having slurred or incoherent speech, or using words incorrectly.

Weakness: A lack of strength in the face, arm or leg could indicate stroke.