Pope Francis died from a stroke followed by heart failure, Vatican says

A believer signs the book of condolences for the death of Pope Francis in the cathedral in Santiago, Chile. A pope’s funeral must take place between four and six days after death Photograph: Pablo Sanhueza/Reuters

Pope Francis died of a stroke and subsequent heart failure, the Vatican has said in a statement, revealing that the pontiff had requested to be buried in a simple, unadorned tomb.

The 88-year-old pope, revered by millions of Catholics around the world, died at 7.35am in his apartment at Casa Santa Marta on Monday. His cause of death was confirmed through an ECG test, the Vatican said.