By Salvatore Cernuzio
“Thank you for bringing me back to the Square.”
This expression of gratitude was among Pope Francis’s last words to the person who watched over him tirelessly throughout his illness, as well as before.
He spoke those words to Massimiliano Strappetti, the nurse who, according to the Pope himself, once saved his life by suggesting colon surgery, and whom the Holy Father later appointed in 2022 as his personal healthcare assistant.
Mr Strappetti stayed by the Pope’s side during all 38 days of his hospitalization at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, and keeping watch round-the-clock during his recovery at the Casa Santa Marta. He was with the Pope on Easter Sunday, during the Urbi et Orbi blessing.
The day before, they had gone together to St Peter’s Basilica to review the “route” he would take the following day when he was to appear on the Central Loggia of St Peter’s Basilica.
Embracing the crowd
The late Pope wanted to offer one last, meaningful surprise to the 50,000 faithful with a ride in the popemobile on Sunday after the blessing on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica façade.
However, Pope Francis did hesitate a bit and asked the opinion of Mr. Strappetti, asking him, “Do you think I can manage it?”
Once in St Peter’s Square, he embraced the crowd, especially the children, since this was his first ride after being discharged from Gemelli hospital, as well as the last outing among the faithful of his life.
Tired but content, the Pope afterwards thanked his personal healthcare assistant, saying, “Thank you for bringing me back to the Square.”
These heartfelt words reveal the deep desire of the Argentine Pope to be among the people of God, enjoying the human connection he made a hallmark of his papacy.
The final hours
The Pope then rested on Sunday afternoon and had a quiet dinner.
Around 5.30 am, 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.
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 passing of Pope Francis came the day after Easter, when he was able to offer the city and the world his final Apostolic Blessing and embrace the faithful once more.
It was exactly the people of God with whom, from the very first moments of his election on Mar 13, 2013, he had promised to walk “together.” – Vatican News
