Pope Francis’ cause of death has been revealed as the world comes to terms with the pontiff’s passing.

The 88-year-old died on Monday morning (Rome time) following several months of health battles.

The Vatican later said that the much-loved figure passed away after suffering a stroke and a subsequent heart attack.

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“The thinking was that he was recovering and recovering quite well (from his health issues),” Nine News Europe Correspondent Jessica Millward told 3AW Breakfast.

“There is a shock in that sense.”

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