Why does the Pope have a bruise on his face? The dark mark sparking a wave of speculation

The sudden appearance of a large bruise on the upper left side of Pope Francis’ face after his death has left many around the world both confused and concerned. Just a day earlier, during his final public appearance at the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing on Sunday, he looked frail—but his face was unmarked.

Then, during the public viewing of his body, the deep purple discoloration became impossible to ignore. Was it the result of an injury? Or something else entirely?

What could cause a facial bruise after death?

According to several medical experts consulted by Diario AS, the most likely explanation points to a fall following a suspected stroke. A hematologist from Madrid added that if the Pope had been on blood thinners—a common treatment for elderly patients recovering from strokes—even a slight bump or pressure could have caused a major bruise. And this, they say, appears to be just that.

But there are other possible explanations.

• A fall or physical trauma before death

If Pope Francis had suffered a fall or any kind of physical impact shortly before he passed, the resulting trauma could have led to visible bruising. These types of injuries—known as antemortem trauma—occur while the heart is still pumping, allowing blood to pool under the skin.

• Postmortem handling of the body

Another possibility is what’s called postmortem ecchymosis, or bruising that occurs after death due to handling. This can happen during transport, the dressing process, or even during autopsy preparation. While these marks resemble bruises, they occur without active blood flow and lack the characteristics of a true hematoma.

This scenario becomes more plausible when the body belongs to someone elderly or physically fragile. Capillaries in the skin become more delicate with age, meaning even the slightest pressure can leave dramatic discoloration after death.

• Livor mortis or hypostasis

There’s also a natural postmortem process to consider: hypostasis—also known as livor mortis—when blood settles in the lower parts of the body due to gravity after the heart stops beating. If Pope Francis was lying face-down or with his head turned for a prolonged period, this could have caused blood to pool in that area, mimicking the appearance of a bruise.

• Cyanosis from cardiac or respiratory failure

Finally, experts also point to cyanosis, a bluish discoloration that can appear when oxygen levels in the blood drop sharply—often caused by heart or lung failure. This type of facial coloring could occur in the final moments of life and might be mistaken for a bruise during postmortem observation.

Could this be a normal part of the dying process?

For someone of Pope Francis’ age and health, any of these explanations are medically plausible. If he did suffer a stroke and was already in a fragile state, the bruise could be a natural outcome of his final hours—or even his final moments.

What’s clear is that this facial mark has stirred deep curiosity and even unease among observers. But from a medical standpoint, the evidence strongly suggests that this is not unusual—and not necessarily suspicious.

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