Pope Francis died from a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, the Vatican has said. The update comes around 12 hours after the Pope's death was announced. A death certificate released for the 88-year-old pontiff said he had fallen into a coma before his death early on Monday. Image: FILE - Pope Francis delivers his blessing as he arrives to hold his weekly general audience, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2014. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File) The Vatican said the Pope had asked to be buried "in the ground, without particular decoration" but with the inscription "Franciscus". In his final testament, Francis said he wished to be buried in Rome's Basilica of Saint Mary Major, rather than at St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, where many previous pontiffs have been laid to rest. Follow latest: World leaders pay tribute to Pope Francis Pope Francis had suffered from a chronic lung disease and had part of a lung removed as a young man. Health issues plagued him throughout his later life, and he was admitted to Gemelli hospital in Rome on 14 February for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:46 People react to the death of Pope Francis This led to a 38-day stay in hospital, the longest of his 12-year papacy. However, he emerged on Easter Sunday, a day before his death, to bless thousands in St Peter's Square. Bells tolled in church towers across Rome after the announcement of his death. Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor, but alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change. Read more: Obituary: A champion of the deprived How is a new pope chosen? Who could succeed Francis? This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.