Pope’s final moments revealed: Doctor breaks silence, details tragic coma, failed revival efforts, and the painful decision to grant his last wish

The doctor who was with Pope Francis during his last hours has shared details about the moments before the pontiff's death and even revealed how doctors fulfilled one of his final wishes, reported Daily Mail.

Pope Francis’ Final Hours

Dr. Sergio Alfieri, who had twice operated on Pope Francis and overseen his medical treatment, was one of the first people to arrive at the Pope's residence on the morning of his death, according to the report. Though, just 48 hours before, Francis had seemed "very well" and wanted to carry out his papal duties, like meeting with the 70 staff members who had treated him during his stay at the Rome's Gemelli hospital, but things took a dramatic turn early Monday morning, as per Daily Mail.


At 5:30 a.m., the Pope's personal nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, called Dr. Alfieri to alert him that the pontiff's condition was worsening and that he may need to return to Gemelli hospital, reported Daily Mail.

Honoring Pope Francis' Final Wish

When Alfieri arrived at Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican home where Pope Francis had lived for more than a decade, the doctor understood looking at the pontiff, that his time was likely coming to an end, as per the report.

Alfieri recalled that, "I entered his room and his eyes were open. I noticed that he had no breathing problems and then I tried to call him but he didn't answer. He didn't respond to stimuli, not even painful ones. At that moment I understood that there was nothing more to be done. He was in a coma," quoted Daily Mail.

However, the doctor decided to not take Francis to the hospital as "We risked letting him die during transport," he told Strappetti, "hospitalisation would have been useless," as quoted in the report. Alfieri shared that, "Strappetti knew that the Pope wanted to die at home, when we were at the Gemelli he always said so," quoted Daily Mail.

Alfieri revealed that, "I remained there with Massimiliano, Andrea, the other nurses and the secretaries; then they all arrived and Cardinal Parolin asked us to pray and we recited the rosary with him. I felt privileged and now I can say that I was," adding, "That morning I gave him a caress as a last farewell," as quoted in the report.

Within two hours after Alfieri came to see him, Francis passed away at 7.35am local time on Monday, reported Daily Mail. The doctor said, "He died without suffering, and at home," as quoted by Daily Mail.

According to the report, only a few weeks before he passed away, Francis had told doctors that he did not want artificial respiration, even though it would have extended his life by a few days. Alfieri recalled that, "At the Gemelli he didn't say: I want to go back to Santa Marta. He said: I want to go home," as quoted by Daily Mail.

FAQs

Where did Pope Francis die?
He passed away peacefully at his home in Casa Santa Marta, inside the Vatican.

Who was with Pope Francis when he died?
His personal nurse, Dr. Sergio Alfieri, other nurses, secretaries, and Cardinal Parolin were by his side.