The Vatican shares new details on the last hours of Pope Francis before his death of a stroke early on Monday, April 21.
Among his last words from the day before death, the church was “thank you”.
This is what Francis, 88, told his long -standing health assistant, Massimiliano Strapetti, a nurse whom the Pope said “once saved his life by suggesting colon surgery”, according to the Vatican press office.
Strapepetti also offered his support while Francis decided to make a surprise appearance in the Popemobile, on tour among tens of thousands of faithful outside the Saint-Pierre Basilica for Easter Sunday, where he also delivered an annual blessing.
Before, the Vatican said, Francis had asked Strapetti: “Do you think I can manage it?”
Later, he said to his help: “Thank you for bringing me back to the place.” The Vatican said he was “tired but happy”.
Never miss a story – register for the free daily newsletter of people to stay up to date with the best of what people have to offer, news of celebrities with interesting stories of human interest.
Antonio Masiello / Getty
Pope Francis in December 2024
Subsequently, Francis – who also took time earlier on Sunday to meet the vice -president JD Vance, despite their differences – “rested Sunday afternoon and had a quiet dinner,” said the Vatican.
His health quickly deteriorated on Monday morning, according to the church, “the first signs of sudden illness” appearing around 5:30 am local time.
“About an hour later, after having made a farewell gesture with his hand to Mr. Strapetti, lying in his bed in his apartment on the second floor at Casa Santa Marta, the Pope fell into a coma,” said the Vatican.
“According to those who were with him in his last moments, he did not suffer. Everything occurred quickly,” continued the declaration of the Church, describing Francis’ death as “discreet … almost sudden, without long suffering or public alarm”.
Related: what is a “conclave” and how does it work? An expert demystifies the “secret” process that decides on the next pope (exclusive)
His official death of death has been determined to come from a brainstem, a coma and an irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse, said the Vatican previously.
Francis had long struggled with health problems, including a 38 -day stay in hospital earlier this year for respiratory complications – with Strapepetti, her nurse, almost always by his side. He also had high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, the church said.
However, he continued to work until almost his last moments.
Francis had a “phenomenal work ethics,” said his biographer Austen Ivereigh before in People. “It’s true for him for decades. People who have worked with him say that he has not taken a vacation since the 1970s.”
Or, as the Argentinian priest Esteban Alfon, Francis “has always had the most in his heart, said.
Read the original article on people
