Off The Record
Pope Francis’ Doctor Shares The Pontiff’s Heartbreaking Final Regret Before His Passing
The doctor who treated Pope Francis revealed his “final regret” prior to his death at the age of 88.
After suffering an unexpected stroke and permanent heart failure, the pope died on Easter Monday, April 21, at the age of 88.
According to the Holy See, symptoms started to show up at 5:30 AM. Before going into a coma, the Pope said a heartfelt goodbye to Massimiliano Strappetti, his lifelong nurse and helper, around 6:30 AM.
Despite attempts to keep an eye on his condition, he passed away quickly, and treatment was ineffective.
“According to those who were with him in his final moments, he did not suffer. It all happened quickly,” the Vatican stated, describing his death as “discreet … almost sudden, without long suffering or public alarm,” cited by PEOPLE.
Pope Francis expressed his one and only sorrow to Dr. Alfieri just before he passed away: his inability to carry out the Holy Thursday foot-washing ceremony. His ministry had long included the gesture, which stands for service and humility.
Considering his public presence in the popemobile on Easter Sunday, this last unmet demand was unexpected. He insisted on blessing the more than 35,000 people assembled in St. Peter’s Square despite his obvious weakness.
Before stepping out, he had asked Strappetti, “Do you think I can manage it?” Afterward, he said: “Thank you for bringing me back to the Square.” Vatican officials described him as “tired but content”.
Before turning in for the night, he had a private discussion with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and a quiet dinner later that day.
His final spoken words – shared the day before he lost consciousness – were a quiet expression of gratitude to Strappetti: “Thank you.”
As the first Latin American pope, Pope Francis created history.
Despite a number of health conditions, such as hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, and chronic respiratory disorders, he fought for the rights of the oppressed, advocated for world peace, and remained steadfast in his goal for almost 10 years.
The Vatican has made the Pope’s final will and testament public. In it, he detailed his burial wishes: “I have always entrusted my life and my priestly and episcopal ministry to the Mother of Our Lord, Mary Most Holy.”
“Therefore, I ask that my mortal remains rest awaiting the day of resurrection in the Papal Basilica of St Mary Major,” per The Independent.
He requested a simple, unadorned tomb bearing only the inscription “Franciscus,” and chose a burial site “in the niche of the side nave between the Pauline Chapel, Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani, and the Sforza Chapel”.
“The costs of his burial are to be covered by an anonymous benefactor, with financial matters handled by Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas,” he stated.
He prayed “to the Lord for peace in the world and brotherhood among peoples” in his last written words, offering his suffering.
The Catholic Church went into sede vacante, the customary time when the papal seat is vacant until a new Pope is appointed, after the pontiff’s death.
His remains were moved to St. Peter’s Basilica for public viewing and are now resting in an open casket. The date of the funeral is set on April 26.
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