Pope’s doctor tells the last moments, says that Francis died “without suffering”

Rome (AP) – The doctor of Pope Francis told the last moments of the pontiff in a pair of interviews in the newspapers, saying that the pontiff had his eyes open and breathed oxygen, but who did not respond after being struck by the disease early Monday morning. “He died without suffering, at home,” said the doctor.

Dr. Sergio Alfieri coordinated the treatment at Francis de Francis de Francis de Francis for a double pneumonia and continued to supervise the pope’s treatment after the Pontiff’s return to the Vatican on March 23 for two months of rest to allow a complete recovery.

Alfieri was alerted on Monday at 5:30 am by Francis’s health care assistant, Massimiliano Strappetti, which Francis had been struck and was to be taken to the hospital. The doctor told Milan Daily Corriere Della will have arrived 20 minutes later.

“I entered his room, and his eyes open. I noted that he had no respiratory problems, so I tried to call him but he did not answer ”, Alfieri was cited by Corriere as, adding that his lungs were clear and that he received additional oxygen.” Nor did he respond to the stimuli, even painful. At that time, I understood that there was nothing more to do. He was in a coma. ”

Alfieri said that it was too risky to withdraw Francis from Gemelli Hospital, where he was treated for a complex respiratory infection that almost killed him twice.

Two hours after falling ill, the Pope died, having undergone a stroke.

“He died without suffering, at home,” said Alfieri to Rome Daily La Repubblica.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin arrived and said that the rosary on the body, accompanied by the Papal Household staff, told Alfieri in Corriere. “I gave him a caress, like a farewell,” said the doctor.

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The Vatican News reported that the Pope had managed a farewell gesture to Strapepetti after having fell ill.

Alfieri became the pope’s surgeon when he needed diverticulitis treatment in 2021. Alfieri tried to have him taken a diet after surgery.

“He had a big sweet tooth and sometimes went to the kitchen of the Santa Marta hotel for a midnight snack. He put a dozen kilograms (almost 30 pounds) too much. Sometimes, I became too rigorous, because he said to me:” Don’t forget to live with irony. “”

After the Pope underwent several serious respiratory crises at the hospital which required decisive treatment, the surgeon said: “We knew that he would not return to his old state and that the infection had left another scar on his lungs.”

However, “he improved with physiotherapy. I saw it on Saturday, and I found it in good shape. I didn’t think it would be the last meeting, “Alfieri told Repubblica.

Although Francis received the order to rest and avoid crowds for two months to recover, Alfieri expressed his understanding of the Pope’s desire to return to work. “Returning to work was part of his treatment, and he never exposed himself to dangers,” Alfieri told Corriere.

Francis could not resist appearing on Saint-Pierre square on Sunday, which culminated with a long road through the Easter crowd of 50,000 on the Mobile Pope, with several stops to bless the children. He also insisted on inviting the health workers at Gemelli Hospital to the Vatican before Easter, even if the doctor suggested waiting until the end of the two -month convalescence in June.

“I have a clear feeling now that there was a series of things he thought he had to do before dying,” Alfieri told Corriere. “We knew he wanted to go home to be pope until the last moment, and he did not disappoint us.”