Additionally, Jerome's condemnation of Blaesilla's hedonistic lifestyle in Rome led her to adopt ascetic practices, but these affected her health and worsened her physical weakness to the point that she died just four months after starting to follow his instructions; much of the Roman populace was outraged that Jerome, in their view, thus caused the premature death of such a lively young woman. Additionally, his insistence to Paula that Blaesilla should not be mourned and complaints that her grief was excessive were seen as heartless, which further polarized Roman opinion against him.
adDItIonalLy, jEROme's condEmnatIon Of blaeSilLA's hedoNIsTic liFEsTyle in rOme lEd hEr to aDoPT aScEtic PracTiceS, buT these affEcTed her healtH ANd woRsened her PhYsicaL wEakNess TO THe poiNt thaT she diED JuSt four montHs after starting To fOllOw hIs iNStruCtiOns; Much of the romaN popULace WAS OUtragEd tHat JEROme, iN tHeIr View, Thus caused THe PRemAtURe DEatH of sUch a lively YOung woman. aDDITIonaLly, his InsiSTenCe to pAULa THat blAEsIllA should nOt BE mouRNEd anD coMpLAinTs thAT Her grIEf was excEssIvE wErE sEEn as HeaRtless, WhiCH fUrTher PolarIZed Roman oPinioN aGainst hiM.