Septic Shock and Heart Failure Cited in Death

The certificate, signed by the Pope's personal physician, Renato Buzzonetti, said he died of "septic shock" and "irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse."

The Holy Father also suffered from Parkinson's disease; episodes of acute respiratory insufficiency and tracheal constriction; benign prostate hypertrophy complicated by urosepsis; and hypertensive and ischemic cardiopathy, the certificate said.

John Paul II, 84, was declared dead Saturday night after his electrocardiogram signal remained flat for more than 20 minutes, the statement said.