Pope Francis’ Last Words Revealed

Pope Francis’s final public appearance in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday was made possible by his personal nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, the Vatican has revealed. The 88-year-old pontiff, who passed away on Monday morning following a stroke, had asked Strappetti, “Do you think I can manage it?” before greeting the crowds.

Despite appearing exhausted during the Easter celebrations, Pope Francis spent approximately 15 minutes in the popemobile, waving to the crowd and blessing babies. Vatican News, the Holy See’s media outlet, reported that the Pope thanked Strappetti, saying, “Thank you for bringing me back to the square,” in what were among his last words.

The pontiff’s health had been a concern following a five-week hospital stay for double pneumonia. On Monday morning, around 5:30 am, he began showing signs of illness. Over an hour later, he gave Strappetti a “gesture of farewell” from his bed before falling into a coma. He was declared dead at 7:35 am. Vatican News described his passing as “a discreet death, almost sudden, without long suffering or public alarm.”

In a preface written two months prior for Cardinal Angelo Scola’s book, “Awaiting a New Beginning. Reflections on Old Age,” Pope Francis expressed a lack of fear regarding death, stating, “We must not be afraid of old age” and “must not fear embracing becoming old,” but instead strive to live life on earth with “grace and not with resentment.” He described death as “a new beginning,” marking the start of eternal life.

Strappetti, who had previously been credited by the Pope for saving his life by advocating for surgery to address an intestinal inflammation, remained by his side throughout his recent hospital stay. The nurse, who had also served Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, was appointed as Pope Francis’s personal healthcare assistant in 2022.

In the days leading up to the Easter appearance, Strappetti and the Pope reviewed the route he would take in St. Peter’s Basilica. Strappetti was also commended for urging doctors to take decisive action during the pontiff’s recent hospital stay, notably during a bronchospasm attack when he insisted, “Try everything, don’t give up.”

Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the coordinator of the medical team, confirmed that Pope Francis had “delegated all kinds of health care decisions to his nurse, and so his wishes were granted.”

The Pope’s funeral is scheduled for Saturday.