Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church passed away at the age of 88. The Vatican confirmed his passing on Easter Monday, on April 21, 2025, at Casa Santa Marta, his long-time residence in Vatican City.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell in the statement published by the Vatican on its Telegram channel said: "This morning at 7:35 am (0535 GMT) the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father."

His death has come just after a month he was discharged from a hospital stay for double pneumonia. This was the latest in string of health challenges that marked his later years.

The Series of Illness and Recovery

Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, had battled numerous health issues over the course of his life. His final hospitalization began on February 14. He was admitted to Rome's Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital. He was diagnosed with bronchitis and his condition worsened and developed into double pneumonia. After 38 days of treatment, he was finally discharged on March 23. However, he passed away a few weeks later.

On the day he was discharged, Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, the Vatican's chief of staff, visited the pope multiple times during his hospitalization and expressed optimism about his recover. “The pope will recover. The doctors say that he needs some time, but it’s going well progressively,” Peña Parra said.

He earlier showed signs of improvement, however, even then, his recovery was not without its challenges. The Vatican also confirmed that he required rehabilitation therapy to regain his strength, especially when it came to his ability to speak after weeks of using noninvasive mechanical ventilation.

The Vatican also had periodically released health updates, including an audio message recorded from hi hospital bed on March 6. In it, the Pope also thanked people for their prayers and asked for the Virgin Mary's protection. While he was hospitalized, he marked the 12th anniversary of his papacy on March 13. This went along with a quiet celebration and his staff brought him a birthday cake.

However, Pope Francis had a long history of respiratory problems. At 21, he also had a near-death experience from a severe bout of influenza that resulted in part of one lung being removed. This, for him was a life altering experience, he later described in his book Let Us Dream. "for months, I did not know who I was, and whether I would live or die," he wrote, calling it his first real encounter with pain and loneliness.

In June 2021, he underwent colon surgery, and throughout COVID-19 pandemic, he remained cautious, often curbing public engagements. Despite all such setbacks, he kept a demanding schedule well into his 80s.

A Legacy Of Compassion To Continue

Despite his age and ailments, he remained active until the very end. Just a day before his death, he met with the US Vice President JD Vance. On Easter Sunday, while he was too frail to deliver the tradition "Urbi et Orbi" blessing himself, he made a passionate plea through a delegated speech for "freedom of religion, thought, and expression” and condemned rising anti-Semitism and the crisis in Gaza.

Previous updates on Pope Francis' Health, Find Here.

Autoimmune illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), lupus, and systemic sclerosis have long been famous for their creation of chronic inflammation and joint devastation, but new evidence is surfacing that these diseases are subtly damaging the heart—particularly among women. The study, reported in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, estimated that women who have these disorders are at 50% higher risk of heart disease-related death than men. Although progress has been made in treating autoimmune diseases, the cardiovascular dangers they pose—especially to women—are underdiagnosed and undertreated.

Autoimmune illnesses are much more common in women. Almost twice to three times as many women have RA compared to men, and with lupus, it is nine times as many. Systemic sclerosis, characterized by tightening of the skin and possible damage to internal organs, also occurs more often in women.

The higher cardiovascular death rate in women with these diseases is not just a statistical coincidence. Dr. Heba Wassif, Director of Cardio-Rheumatology at Cleveland Clinic and senior author of the study, highlights that the burden of cardiovascular disease in immune-mediated inflammatory conditions is both substantial and disproportionately impacts women. This prompts important questions about how autoimmune-driven inflammation specifically affects women's cardiovascular health—and why their risks have been so historically underestimated.

In perhaps the most thorough analysis yet, scientists sifted through data on over 281,000 deaths attributed to RA, lupus, and systemic sclerosis between 1999 and 2020. More than 127,000 of those were from heart complications.

While overall mortality rates for heart disease fell—from 3.9 to 2.1 per 100,000 among women and from 1.7 to 1.2 among men—the gap between men and women narrowed only slightly: women continued to die from heart disease at disproportionately higher rates.

Even more alarming, stroke and blocked arteries (atherosclerosis) became the leading killers of women, along with the stark rate of deaths due to irregular heart rhythms and cardiac arrest—over twice that of men.

How Autoimmune Inflammation Damages the Heart?

Autoimmune diseases induce the body to mistakenly attack its own tissues. In RA, the immune system assaults the synovium—the joint lining—leading to swelling, pain, and inflammation. But this inflammation does not end here. It can spread to essential organs, such as the heart, lungs, and blood vessels.

Chronic inflammation promotes the formation of plaque in arteries, damages the linings of blood vessels, and accelerates atherosclerosis—a key risk factor for heart attack and stroke. In addition, the systemic inflammation can provoke arrhythmias and worsen heart failure.

The same medications that treat autoimmune diseases—like corticosteroids and certain immunosuppressants—can also increase cardiovascular risks indirectly by elevating blood pressure, blood sugar, or cholesterol levels if not monitored carefully.

How Heart Diseases have Become a Leading Killer in Autoimmune Patients?

Dr. Issam Motairek, lead author of the study, points to a dramatic change in the perception of mortality among autoimmune patients. "There is a general belief that individuals with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases die mostly from infections or kidney disease," he said. "But our study found that one-third of deaths in this group were caused by cardiovascular disease."

This change points to an urgent necessity to rephrase the way we perceive autoimmune conditions—not only as musculoskeletal or cutaneous problems, but as inflammatory disorders of the whole body with lethal cardiovascular ramifications.

Ways to Control Autoimmune Flares to Keep Your Heart Safe

Most of this cardiovascular danger can be avoided. Here is the way in which women suffering from autoimmune disorders can actively shield their heart:

Early and recurrent cardiovascular screening – At the diagnosis of autoimmune disease, screening should be done by Dr. Wassif and then on a regular basis thereafter. This will include blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose levels, and inflammation markers.

Aggressive inflammation control – Treatment of RA or lupus early and effectively not only benefits the joints but also curtails systemic inflammation that can harm the heart.

Lifestyle interventions – Exercise, a heart-healthy diet, stress reduction, and smoking cessation are even more crucial in this group. Exercise may be difficult during flare-ups, but low-impact exercise such as walking or yoga can be helpful.

Weight control – Achy joints and fatigue can reduce mobility, promoting weight gain. But obesity itself is a principal cause of high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease—each of which multiplies the risks for autoimmune patients.

Collaborative working with healthcare providers – Rheumatologists, cardiologists, and primary care physicians must work in concert. An expert cardio-rheumatology team, such as at premier institutions like Cleveland Clinic, can provide individualized care.

Of all autoimmune conditions researched, rheumatoid arthritis carried the greatest risk of cardiovascular mortality. RA not only inflames joints—it can also cause damage to heart valves, inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis), and pericarditis (inflammation of the outer layer of the heart). In addition, RA is frequently accompanied by fatigue, low-grade fever, and decreased activity—all of which can conceal or exacerbate heart disease.

This seminal study should be an eye-opener for both patients and clinicians. It reinforces the need not to brush off symptoms such as palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, or fatigue in women with autoimmune diseases. It also highlights the imperative of greater gender-specific research and an overarching, preventive approach to autoimmune diseases—not merely for joint well-being, but for survival.

If you’re a woman living with an autoimmune inflammatory disease, protecting your heart isn't optional—it’s essential. Don’t wait for a cardiac symptom to speak up. Be your own advocate, and demand comprehensive cardiovascular care. Early detection, effective inflammation control, and lifestyle support can go a long way in reducing your risk—and adding years to your life.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently cleared and approved the at-home test for cervical cancer, possibly revolutionizing the way millions of women handle one of the most important parts of preventive health care. Created by Teal Health, the recently approved self-test device—the Teal Wand—provides an alternative, less painful method than the conventional Pap smear, seeking to make it easier, less stressful, and more accessible for cervical cancer screening.

The product, called the Teal Wand, allows women to collect vaginal swabs themselves at home—providing a potent, less painful alternative to conventional in-clinic Pap smears.

This approval represents a groundbreaking step toward breaking down long-standing barriers to screening for cervical cancer, particularly among women who find pelvic exams unpleasant, inaccessible, or culturally daunting. For them, it could be the bridge they've waited years for to early detection and timely treatment.

Cervical cancer ranks among the most preventable types of cancer owing to the existence of HPV vaccination and routine screening. However, despite increased medical capabilities, screening rates have consistently decreased since the mid-2000s. According to a 2022 study, 23% of women in 2019 were overdue for a cervical cancer screening, which was up from 14% in 2005. Almost half of all women diagnosed with cervical cancer in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society, are not current on their screenings.

This alarming trend is part of the estimated 13,360 new cases of cervical cancer and 4,320 deaths projected for 2025. The intent is for this home test to turn that trend around by reaching women where they're at—literally.

How the Test Kit Work?

The Teal Wand detects human papillomavirus (HPV), the primary cause of cervical cancer, using a self-collected vaginal swab that detects high-risk strains of the virus—just as a clinician would get a sample with a Pap smear, without the office visit and speculum.

To have access to the test, patients first have to meet with a Teal Health-affiliated provider through telehealth. If they are approved, the test is mailed to their home. After the sample has been taken, it is sent to a laboratory for processing. In case the test comes back positive for high-risk HPV, Teal Health's providers coordinate follow-up diagnostic care through in-office procedures as usual.

The advantages of this home test go beyond convenience—it could shrink the equity chasm in access to health care. According to a recent JAMA Network Open report, rural women are 25% more likely to have cervical cancer and 42% more likely to die from cervical cancer than city women. Disparities frequently are explained as a result of infrequent screening and inadequate availability of gynecologic services.

By facilitating home self-screening, the Teal Wand could assist underserved and rural communities in obtaining vital early diagnoses, possibly saving thousands of lives.

Role of HPV in Cervical Cancer

HPV is a sexually transmitted disease that most commonly resolves spontaneously. But some strains are associated with cervical and other cancers. The HPV vaccine, when given prior to sexual activity, is extremely effective in preventing illness from the high-risk strains.

As of a 2025 American Cancer Society report, incidence of cervical cancer in women between the ages of 20 and 24 decreased by 65% from 2012 to 2019 due primarily to early HPV vaccination. However, not all women are sharing in this success. Rates of cervical cancer in women in their 30s and early 40s have started to creep upward once more.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) prescribes two doses of the HPV vaccine between preteens aged 11–12, although it can begin as early as age 9. Individuals having the first dose at 15 years and older need a series of three doses. The vaccine is usually prescribed up to age 26 and up to age 45 in special situations depending on personal risk.

Worldwide, cervical cancer continues to be the fourth most frequent female cancer and is responsible for 7.5% of all female cancer deaths, based on the World Health Organization (WHO). In the United States alone, there are about 200,000 women diagnosed with cervical precancer each year and over 11,000 with HPV-related cervical cancer. Unfortunately, more than 4,000 American women die from the disease each year.

Data from an 11-year study in England also supports the efficacy of early HPV vaccination and screening. The program there averted 448 cases of cervical cancer and more than 17,000 cases of precancerous lesions, highlighting the huge promise of proactive, accessible prevention strategies.

Although the Teal Wand now must be prescribed through Teal Health's telehealth platform, the business is continuing to move toward availability through additional healthcare providers. Pricing and insurance coverage are also points of interest. Because cervical cancer screening is supported by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, coverage is also highly anticipated, which would further drive accessibility.

A 42-year-old woman in Malappuram, Kerala, was admitted to a private hospital with severe symptoms resembling encephalitis. Just days later, her worst fears were confirmed — she had contracted the Nipah virus. On Thursday, the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune officially verified the infection, thrusting Kerala once again into the national spotlight as it battles another outbreak of this deadly zoonotic disease.

As Health Minister Veena George heads to Malappuram to monitor the containment strategies, public health concerns are intensifying, especially given the virus’s history in the state and the high fatality rate associated with it. Here’s everything you need to know about the Nipah virus, how it spreads, and why it’s resurfacing now.

Kerala is no stranger to the Nipah virus. Since 2018, the state has witnessed five outbreaks, leading to 22 confirmed deaths. The first outbreak in 2018 was particularly catastrophic — 17 of the 18 infected individuals died, leaving public health systems scrambling for solutions. Further cases occurred in 2019, 2021, and 2023, most commonly between May and September, the region’s monsoon season, which is also marked by a surge in respiratory infections and influenza-like illnesses.

These seasonal overlaps make early diagnosis challenging, as Nipah symptoms often mimic more common illnesses. In 2023 alone, Malappuram reported two deaths linked to the virus. Of all the confirmed infections since 2018, only six individuals have survived, underscoring the virus’s high mortality rate and the need for rapid medical intervention.

How the Virus Is Contracted?

Nipah virus is a zoonotic pathogen, meaning it spreads from animals to humans. Scientific investigations from previous outbreaks, including a joint field survey by the National Institute of Virology (NIV) and the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), found a clear link between fruit bats (commonly known as flying foxes) and human infections.

The virus strain detected in Kerala is closely related to the Bangladeshi strain, notorious for its person-to-person transmission and high mortality, estimated by experts to be up to 90% in some cases. In the 2023 outbreak, antibodies were found in fruit bats from Pandikkad village, strongly pointing to them as the source of the infection.

The consumption of contaminated fruits or exposure to bat saliva and urine on fruits is believed to be one of the primary routes of transmission in initial cases.

What is Nipah Virus?

First identified in Malaysia in 1998, Nipah virus gets its name from the village of Sungai Nipah, where the initial outbreak occurred. The virus belongs to the Henipavirus genus and has since been recognized as one of the world’s most dangerous pathogens due to its pandemic potential and high case fatality rate — estimated to range between 40% and 75%, depending on the outbreak response and healthcare access.

Early symptoms are often non-specific and include:

• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Vomiting
• Sore throat

As the disease progresses, some patients experience acute respiratory distress, neurological complications like encephalitis, seizures, and altered mental states, which may rapidly lead to coma or death.

Is the Virus Contagious and Airborne?

Yes, Nipah virus is both contagious and airborne. It spreads primarily through respiratory droplets, bodily fluids such as saliva, urine, feces, and blood, and via direct contact with infected individuals or animals.

Healthcare providers and family members caring for infected patients are particularly at risk. This is why strict infection control measures, including personal protective equipment (PPE) and isolation protocols, are crucial to preventing person-to-person spread.

Why Prevention Is Critical?

Currently, there is no specific antiviral treatment or licensed vaccine available for Nipah virus. Medical care is supportive and symptomatic, focusing on:

Hydration and rest

Medications for fever and pain (e.g., acetaminophen, ibuprofen)

Treatment for nausea, seizures, and respiratory distress

Use of inhalers or nebulizers in case of breathing difficulties

Experimental therapies, such as monoclonal antibody treatments, are under research but not yet widely accessible. Given the lack of curative options, early detection and containment remain the most effective ways to manage an outbreak.

Containment Measures Followed in Kerala

Since the first outbreak, Kerala’s public health system has developed a robust protocol to respond to Nipah cases. Isolation wards, contact tracing, and real-time epidemiological surveillance are quickly deployed. The state has also worked closely with central agencies like NIV and WHO to bolster its diagnostic and response capabilities.

With this latest case in Malappuram, authorities are already mobilizing rapid response teams to trace contacts, disinfect the patient’s surroundings, and educate the public about symptoms and preventive measures.

Although most outbreaks have been localized to South and Southeast Asia, Nipah virus is considered a global threat. The World Health Organization (WHO) includes it on the list of priority diseases for research and development, due to its potential to cause widespread epidemics and the lack of available countermeasures.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also closely monitors Nipah virus, emphasizing the importance of global health surveillance systems. As climate change, deforestation, and wildlife trade continue to increase human-animal interactions, the risk of zoonotic spillovers like Nipah is on the rise.

The emergence of a new Nipah case in Kerala is a critical reminder of the interconnectedness of human and animal health. While the virus is not currently spreading globally, the high fatality rate, airborne nature, and lack of treatment options make it essential to remain vigilant.

For residents in affected areas and globally the best approach is a combination of early reporting, awareness about transmission, and adherence to public health guidelines.