In his final moments, Pope Francis offered a quiet but powerful goodbye — a simple gesture of farewell with his hand to the man who had stayed by his side throughout his illness.
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta. pic.twitter.com/jUIkbplVi2
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 21, 2025
Moments earlier, he had whispered nine poignant words, his last known sentence — “Thank you for bringing me back to the Square.” Those words were addressed to Massimiliano Strappetti, the nurse who had become a central figure in the Pope’s final years.
More than a caregiver, Strappetti was the man who once saved the Pope’s life by recommending colon surgery. For his unwavering dedication, Pope Francis appointed him as his personal healthcare assistant in 2022.
Strappetti remained at the Pope’s side throughout his final hospitalization at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital and later at the Casa Santa Marta, where he kept round-the-clock watch.
On Easter Sunday, Strappetti was by the Pope’s side during the Urbi et Orbi blessing — what would be Pope Francis’ last public appearance. The day before, they had reviewed the path he would walk to the Central Loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Pope Francis had hoped to surprise the 50,000 faithful gathered in the square by riding in the popemobile after the blessing. But he hesitated and sought his assistant’s guidance, asking, “Do you think I can manage it?”
He did. That Sunday, he returned to the square, embracing the crowd and paying special attention to children. It was his first popemobile ride since his hospital discharge — and the final one of his life.
Tired yet content, he turned to Strappetti and said, “Thank you for bringing me back to the Square.” In that moment, he revealed the depth of his desire to be close to the people, a principle that had defined his papacy from the start.
Later that day, he had a quiet dinner and went to bed. Around 5:30 a.m. the next morning, he showed signs of sudden illness. The medical team responded immediately, but about an hour later, Pope Francis slipped into a coma.
Just before losing consciousness, lying in his bed on the second floor of Casa Santa Marta, he offered a final gesture — a wave of the hand to Strappetti.
According to those present, he did not suffer. The death was sudden and discreet, in keeping with the Pope’s reserved nature regarding his health.
From the moment of his election on March 13, 2013, Pope Francis had pledged to walk “together” with the people of God. In his last hours, he made good on that promise with humility, warmth, and grace.
The cause of death was confirmed as a stroke, followed by a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse. Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, issued the official certification.
A report released by the Holy See Press Office detailed the Pope’s medical history, which included acute respiratory failure from multimicrobial bilateral pneumonia, multiple bronchiectases, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. His death was confirmed via electrocardiographic thanatography.
Source: news.amomama.com
