Among the Pope’s final words were nine words he spoke to the nurse who had cared relentlessly for him during his illness, thanking him for bringing him back to St Peter’s Square and asking a heartbreaking question.
Francis, 88, expressed his gratitude to Massimiliano Strappetti, who sat by his side in the Gemelli Hospital for 38 days and kept watch round the clock during his last weeks at home in the Vatican. He was with The Holy Father on Sunday when he rode through adoring crowds in the popemobile, after wishing them a Happy Easter for one final time from the St Peter’s Basilica balcony. The day before, they had gone together to review the route he would take on Sunday, The Vatican’s official news outlet reported.
Francis had hesitated slightly and asked Mr Strappetti: “Do you think I can manage it?” Once in St. Peter’s Square, he embraced the crowd, especially the children. He also told Mr Strappetti: “Thank you for bringing me back to the Square.”
It was his first ride since being discharged from hospital, and the last of his life. He afterwards thanked Mr Strappetti, and then rested on Sunday afternoon with a quiet dinner.
At 5.30am, the first signs of the sudden illness appeared, prompting an immediate response from those keeping watch over him.
“Around an hour later, after making a gesture of farewell with his hand to Mr. Strappetti, lying in bed in his second-floor apartment at the Casa Santa Marta, the Pope fell into a coma,” read the outlet.
“According to those who were with him in his final moments, he did not suffer. It all happened quickly. His was a discreet death, almost sudden, without long suffering or public alarm, for a Pope who was always very reserved about his health.”
The Prime Minister will be among world leaders and dignitaries to attend the funeral of Pope Francis this weekend, it was confirmed today. The late pontiff will be buried on Saturday. His body will be laid out for public view from Wednesday in St Peter’s Basilica, so mourners can pay their respects to a man dubbed the People’s Pope. In a statement released by Number 10 on Easter Monday, Keir Starmer said: “I join millions around the world in grieving the death of His Holiness Pope Francis.
“His leadership in a complex and challenging time for the world and the church was courageous, yet always came from a place of deep humility.”
The Prime Minister will join a host of other world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, who had already said on social media that he and his wife Melania plan to attend the funeral.
Prince William will represent King Charles in attendance, Kensington Palace confirmed. The decision for the Prince of Wales, a future head of the Church of England, to attend is in keeping with modern tradition and will be seen as a major milestone in William’s role as a global statesman and future king. Charles as the Prince of Wales went to Pope John Paul II’s funeral, representing his mother the late Queen, in 2005.
The pontiff will be honoured with a long mourning period and multi-stage funeral before he is buried at a church he frequently visited on the other side of the River Tiber in the centre of Rome. Pope Francis I’s funeral will take place at 10am local time (9am BST) on Saturday, March 26, the Vatican confirmed today following a meeting of the Catholic Church’s top brass in St Peter’s Square.
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