Remembering Pope Francis' final hours

Pope greeted a child on Saturday after the Urbi et Orbi blessing. Image: Vatican Media

Source: Vatican Media

Among the final words of the late Pope Francis was a "thank you" to his personal nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, for encouraging him to take one last ride in the popemobile on Sunday after the Urbi et Orbi.

He rested in the afternoon, had a quiet dinner, and then at dawn suddenly fell ill and died, Salvatore Cernuzio writes for Vatican Media.

Massimiliano Strappetti was the nurse who, according to the Pope himself, once saved his life by suggesting colon surgery, and whom the Holy Father later appointed in 2022 as his personal healthcare assistant.

By his side during all 38 days of hospitalization at Rome's Gemelli Hospital and round-the-clock during his recovery at the Casa Santa Marta, Mr Strappetti was with the Pope on Easter Sunday, during the Urbi et Orbi blessing.

The day before, they had gone together to St Peter's to review the "route" he would take the following day when he was to appear on the Central Loggia of St Peter's Basilica.

After that moment, on Sunday morning, on the balcony at the heart of St Peter's Basilica façade, when the initial 35,000 faithful had already grown to 50,000, the Pope asked if he could go into St Peter's Square for a surprise ride in the popemobile.

He did have a touch of hesitation. "Do you think I can manage it?" he asked Mr Strappetti, who reassured him.

From there came the embrace of the crowd, especially of the children: his first ride since being discharged from Gemelli, and the last of his life.

Tired but content, the Pope thanked his personal healthcare assistant, saying: "Thank you for bringing me back to the Square."

These heartfelt words reveal the deep need the Argentine Pontiff, who had made human connection a hallmark of his papacy, felt, to once more be among the people.

The Pope then rested in the afternoon and had a peaceful dinner.

Around 5.30am, the first signs of illness appeared, prompting an immediate response from those keeping watch over him.

Over an hour later, after making a gesture of farewell with his hand to Strappetti, lying in bed in his second-floor apartment at Casa Santa Marta, the Pope fell into a coma.

According to those who were with him in his final moments, he did not suffer. It all happened quickly.

It was a discreet death, almost sudden, without long suffering or public alarm, for a Pope who had always been very reserved about his health.

A passing that came the day after Easter, the day after blessing the city and the world, the day after, once again after so long, embracing the people.

The people with whom, from the very first moments of his election on March 13, 2013, he had promised to walk "together."