In his final days, Francis expressed his thanks to the nurse who had been with him during the last months of his life due to his ongoing health struggles. According to the Vatican’s news outlet, he told Massimiliano Strappetti: “Thanks for bringing me to the square.”
Pope Francis delivered his final speech on Easter Sunday (April 20). Initially uncertain, he had asked Strappetti, his personal assistant: “Do you think I can manage it?” He then addressed the crowd in St. Peter’s Square, delivering a deeply emotional farewell message.
He said: [Translation] “Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter! Blessed be the almighty father and son and holy spirit. I ask the master of ceremonies to read the message.”
His address, in part, continued: “And with firm hope in eternal life, I wish to set out my final wishes solely regarding the place of my burial. Throughout my life, and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the Mother of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary.”
“For this reason, I ask that my mortal remains rest – awaiting the day of the Resurrection – in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.”
Vatican News reported that Francis had a “peaceful dinner” the night before he passed away, and it wasn’t until 5:30 am local time on Monday that his inner circle started to worry.
The outlet stated: “A little more than an hour later, making a farewell gesture with his hand to Strappetti … the pontiff went into a coma. He did not suffer, and it all happened very fast.”
Francis’ cause of death has been confirmed as a cerebral stroke, which led to a coma and irreversible heart failure.
