Godspeed, Lolo Kiko: Vatican confirms stroke as Pontiff’s cause of death

Church bells tolled across the Philippines as Catholics mourned the death of Pope Francis, who died of a stroke at age 88, the Vatican confirmed Tuesday.

Affectionately known to Filipinos as Lolo Kiko — Grandfather Francis — the beloved Pontiff passed away at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta adjacent to St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, nearly a month after being discharged from hospital where he had spent weeks battling double pneumonia.

Across Asia’s bastion of Catholicism, the news came like thunder. From candlelit prayers in Baclaran to tearful vigils at Manila Cathedral, the country grieved for not just a pope, but a spiritual grandfather.

“I was shocked because I had read that he was already OK, that his condition had improved,” said 23-year-old Jeslie Generan outside Baclaran Church in Parañaque City. “When I opened Twitter and read it… I thought it was fake news.”

Inside the church, a framed portrait of the Pope was placed beside a statue of Jesus, candles flickering on either side as parishioners filed down the aisle to kneel and pray.

“We feel the loss because he was the face of the Church,” said 40-year-old Marlon Delgado. “I was at first shocked and then a feeling of sadness overwhelmed me.”

Outside Manila Cathedral, 19-year-old Jhayson Banquiles echoed the sentiment of many. “The Pope’s death is a big loss for Filipino Catholics. He was basically the voice of God here. Through him, we heard the word of God.”

Vincent Abrena, 38, learned of the death while at work. “That’s why after work I rushed to the cathedral… to pray for him,” he said.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, led the Catholic Church for 12 years as a reformer who stirred devotion from the faithful and ire from traditionalists.

Death certificate

He was the first Jesuit and the first Latin American pope, ascending to the chair of St. Peter in 2013 following the resignation of Benedict XVI — the first pontiff in six centuries to step down.

The Vatican released a death certificate citing a stroke that led to a coma and “irreversible” heart failure. It also disclosed that Francis had Type 2 diabetes, a condition not previously made public.

Despite his declining health, the Pope had addressed the Easter crowd in St. Peter’s Square a day before his passing.

A Vatican source said he had insisted on maintaining a full schedule even as he recognized his health was deteriorating. In his will, also released by the Vatican, Francis wrote, “The sunset of my earthly life is approaching.”

Kevin Cardinal Farrell, the Camerlengo who now oversees the day-to-day running of Church affairs, officially announced the death.

The Pope’s body was placed in a wood and zinc coffin and moved to the chapel at Santa Marta on Monday evening.

It will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica beginning Wednesday. His funeral is expected to take place between Friday and Sunday, as dictated by tradition.

Simple tomb

Francis had expressed his wish to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, in a simple tomb bearing only the inscription “Franciscus.”

In Argentina, where he once served as archbishop of Buenos Aires, President Javier Milei — who had previously criticized the Pope — acknowledged his “goodness and wisdom” despite their differences.

A week of national mourning was declared. “We are orphaned,” said street sweeper Javier Languenari, voicing a sentiment shared across the Catholic world.

Tributes poured in from around the globe.

US President Donald Trump, who once sparred with the Pope over immigration policies, posted “Rest in Peace” and ordered flags flown at half-staff. Russian President Vladimir Putin also offered condolences, citing the Pope’s “spiritual authority.”

Pope Francis holds a special place in the hearts of Filipinos. His 2015 visit to the country, especially the Mass he said in Tacloban for survivors of super typhoon “Yolanda,” was etched in the national soul.

Braving rain and strong winds, he told the crowd, “When I saw in Rome the catastrophe, I felt I had to be here. I’m here to be with you.” The video of that moment garnered over five million views within two hours of being reposted online Monday.

As the Church prepares for a conclave to choose his successor, many Filipino Catholics are simply trying to absorb the loss. In the words of Jhayson Banquiles, “The voice of God we heard through him has fallen silent — but his message lives on.”

Personal loss

The passing of Pope Francis brought grief and a personal sense of loss to over a million Catholics in Eastern Visayas whose lives were touched by the Pontiff’s 2015 visit, over a year after supertyphoon “Yolanda” hit the region leaving over 6,000 dead.

Fr. Chris Arthur Militante, information and social communications director of the Archdiocese of Palo, said Pope Francis’ coming to grieve with the “Yolanda” survivors made a profound impact on the faithful of the archdiocese.

“His message of mercy, compassion, and inclusion deeply resonated with our people, especially as we continue to recover not just from physical storms like Yolanda, but from the many spiritual and social challenges our communities face,” Fr. Militante said in an online press conference on Tuesday.

“Even in his passing, we feel his spirit guiding us. We will continue to reflect on his teachings, especially his love for the poor, which aligns closely with our local mission,” he added.

The cleric said Pope Francis did not only bring hope to the grieving survivors of the calamity but also left a lasting spiritual and humanitarian impact on the people of Eastern Visayas.

Militante said the papal visit led to the construction of the Pope Francis Village, a housing project of the archdiocese in partnership with the Redemptorist community and non-government Urban Poor Associates, for the displaced families.

He said the Pontiff’s compassion inspired cause-oriented groups to build the Pope Francis Center, a project supported by the Korean Apostolate.

Militante said several churches that were destroyed by the Yolanda were rebuilt with assistance from the Vatican, which further strengthened the faith and resilience of the local Catholic community.