When people search for why did the pope die, they are usually looking for one of two things: the clinical medical cause of a specific Pope’s passing or the deep, slightly mysterious history of how the Vatican handles the end of an era. It’s a heavy topic. People get weirdly obsessed with it.
Honestly, it makes sense.
The death of a Pope isn't just a funeral. It’s a massive geopolitical shift. Whether you’re looking at the recent passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI or the world-stopping event that was John Paul II’s death in 2005, the details are often more "human" than the golden robes and marble statues suggest. We’re talking about elderly men with complex medical histories living in a fishbowl.
The Breakdown: Why Did the Pope Die and What Does the Medical Record Say?
Let's get into the specifics of Benedict XVI. He was 95. That's an incredible run by any standard. When he died on December 31, 2022, the official word from Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni was pretty straightforward: "aggravation of health due to advancing age."
That sounds vague.
But if you look closer, it was basically a systemic shutdown. He’d been frail for years. You might remember he was the first Pope to resign in 600 years back in 2013 because he felt his "strength of mind and body" had deteriorated. By the end, his voice was a whisper. His kidneys were failing. Reports from insiders indicated that his vital functions—including his heart—simply couldn't keep up anymore. There was no conspiracy. No sudden illness. Just the inevitable reality of being nearly a century old.
Contrast that with Pope John Paul II.
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His death in 2005 was a slow-motion tragedy watched by millions. He didn’t just "pass away." He fought Parkinson’s disease for years. It was brutal to watch. The official cause of death for John Paul II was septic shock and irreversible circulatory collapse. He’d been hit with a massive urinary tract infection that triggered a systemic infection (sepsis). Because his body was already weakened by Parkinson’s and breathing difficulties that required a tracheotomy, he couldn't fight it off.
The Medical Mystery of 1978
You can't talk about why did the pope die without mentioning the "Thirty-Three Day Pope," John Paul I. This is where the internet goes wild with theories. He was found dead in his bed just over a month after being elected in 1978.
The Vatican said it was a heart attack (myocardial infarction).
But because they didn’t perform a full autopsy—which was standard Vatican protocol at the time to "protect the dignity" of the body—rumors exploded. People claimed he was poisoned because he wanted to clean up the Vatican Bank. David Yallop wrote a whole book called In God's Name arguing this. However, more sober historians like Stefania Falasca, who had access to the medical files for his beatification, found that he had a history of heart issues and had been experiencing chest pains the day before he died but refused to call a doctor.
Sometimes the "conspiracy" is just a stubborn man not wanting to make a fuss.
How the Vatican Confirms a Death (The Weird Parts)
There is a lot of myth-busting needed here. You might have heard that a Cardinal hits the Pope on the forehead with a silver hammer to make sure he's dead.
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That doesn't happen anymore.
It’s an old tradition that’s basically been retired in favor of modern medicine. Today, the Camerlengo (the official who runs the Vatican during the "empty chair" period) simply declares the death in the presence of the Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations. They use an EKG. Science wins out over silver hammers every time now.
The Immediate Aftermath
Once the doctor signs the certificate, the ring is smashed. The "Fisherman’s Ring" is a unique seal used for signing official documents. By destroying it, the Vatican ensures no one can forge a decree or backdate a law while the seat is vacant.
Then comes the embalming.
Popes are traditionally not buried in the ground in a simple casket immediately. They are placed in three nested coffins: one of cypress, one of lead (which is soldered shut), and an outer one of elm or oak. This is why the cause of death is so scrutinized; the body has to be preserved for the long period of "lying in state" where hundreds of thousands of people walk past.
Life Expectancy and the Modern Papacy
Why do they keep dying in office (or close to it)? Because the job is a life sentence.
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Modern medicine is actually creating a bit of a crisis for the Papacy. In the past, you’d get sick and pass away relatively quickly. Now, with world-class healthcare, Popes can live for decades with debilitating conditions.
- Pope Francis, for example, has dealt with severe sciatica, knee issues that keep him in a wheelchair, and a significant colon surgery in 2021.
- He also had part of a lung removed when he was a young man.
- The stress of the job—managing 1.3 billion people—is a literal killer.
If you’re wondering why did the pope die in a broader sense, it’s often because the Vatican doesn’t have a "retirement age" like a CEO. They work until the engine stops. Benedict XVI changed the game by stepping down, but even he lived another decade after retiring.
The Stress Factor
Imagine being 80-something years old and having a schedule that includes international flights, 5:00 AM wake-up calls, and constant meetings with heads of state. It’s an Olympic-level physical tax. When we look at the clinical reasons—heart failure, sepsis, respiratory distress—we have to realize these are the end-stage results of a body that hasn't been allowed to rest.
What You Should Actually Take Away
Understanding the death of a Pope requires looking past the smoke and mirrors.
- Age is the primary driver. Most Popes are elected in their 60s or 70s. By the time they have been in office for 10 or 15 years, they are well into the "high risk" zone for everything from stroke to heart disease.
- The Vatican is more transparent than it used to be. While they still value privacy, the detailed medical bulletins released during Benedict XVI’s final days were a huge shift from the secrecy of the early 20th century.
- The "Why" matters for the "Who's Next." The cause of death often dictates the mood of the next Conclave. If a Pope died of exhaustion or stress, the Cardinals often look for a younger, more energetic successor. If a Pope was seen as too distant, they look for a "pastor."
If you’re following news about the current Pope’s health, keep an eye on his respiratory issues. Since Francis only has one fully functioning lung, any bout of bronchitis or the flu is a major red flag for the Vatican medical team.
To stay informed, don't just look at social media rumors. Check the official Vatican Press Office (Sala Stampa). They are the only ones with the actual medical charts. If you want to dive deeper into the history of how these transitions work, look for work by John L. Allen Jr., who is probably the most balanced Vatican analyst out there. He’s great at cutting through the "Vatican-speak" to explain what’s actually happening behind the bronze doors.
The death of a Pope is a human event wrapped in centuries of ritual. It’s rarely a thriller movie plot; it’s usually just the quiet end of a very long, very public life.