As the world mourns, those closest to the Pope have revealed what truly happened in his final hours, including his touching final gesture and the words he chose to leave behind.
In his final moments, Pope Francis offered a quiet but powerful goodbye — a simple gesture of farewell with his hand to the man who had stayed by his side throughout his illness.
Moments earlier, he had whispered nine poignant words, his last known sentence — “Thank you for bringing me back to the Square.” Those words were addressed to Massimiliano Strappetti, the nurse who had become a central figure in the Pope’s final years.
More than a caregiver, Strappetti was the man who once saved the Pope’s life by recommending colon surgery. For his unwavering dedication, Pope Francis appointed him as his personal healthcare assistant in 2022.
Pope Francis blessing a baby during his weekly audience at the Paul VI Hall in Vatican City, on February 12, 2020 | Source: Getty Images
Strappetti remained at the Pope’s side throughout his final hospitalization at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital and later at the Casa Santa Marta, where he kept round-the-clock watch.
On Easter Sunday, Strappetti was by the Pope’s side during the Urbi et Orbi blessing — what would be Pope Francis’ last public appearance. The day before, they had reviewed the path he would walk to the Central Loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Pope Francis had hoped to surprise the 50,000 faithful gathered in the square by riding in the popemobile after the blessing. But he hesitated and sought his assistant’s guidance, asking, “Do you think I can manage it?”
He did. That Sunday, he returned to the square, embracing the crowd and paying special attention to children. It was his first popemobile ride since his hospital discharge — and the final one of his life.
Tired yet content, he turned to Strappetti and said, “Thank you for bringing me back to the Square.” In that moment, he revealed the depth of his desire to be close to the people, a principle that had defined his papacy from the start.
Later that day, he had a quiet dinner and went to bed. Around 5:30 a.m. the next morning, he showed signs of sudden illness. The medical team responded immediately, but about an hour later, Pope Francis slipped into a coma.
