Vatican recounts Pope's Francis last hours

Pope Francis arrives on wheelchair during the audience to the Participants to Plenary Assembly of the International Union of Superiors General on May 5, 2022 in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican. Alberto Pizzoli, AFP

Agence France-Presse

Pope Francis thanked his personal nurse for encouraging him to greet the crowds in St Peter&#x27;s Square on Easter Sunday, according to the Vatican, which said that these were amongst his last words.The Argentine pontiff, 88, died on Monday morning from a stroke, less than a month after returning home from five weeks in hospital battling double pneumonia.&quot;Thank you for bringing me back to the square,&quot; Francis told his nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, after what would be his final popemobile ride, according to the Vatican News, the Holy See&#x27;s media outlet.The pope appeared exhausted during Easter celebrations on Sunday, but nevertheless greeted the crowd and drove around St Peter&#x27;s Square cheered by thousands of rapt worshippers.&quot;Do you think I can manage it?&quot; he had asked Strappetti before taking the plunge.The medic, in whom he had complete confidence, reassured him.Francis then spent about 15 minutes waving at the crowd and blessing babies from his popemobile, flanked by numerous bodyguards.The Pope spent the afternoon resting in his Vatican residence, Casa Santa Marta, and had a peaceful dinner, Vatican News reported.On Monday, at around 5.30 am (0330 GMT), &quot;the first signs of illness appeared,&quot; it said.More than an hour later, he waved to Strappetti from his bed in what the media site described as &quot;a gesture of farewell&quot; before falling into a coma.Francis was declared dead at 7:35 am.&quot;He did not suffer. It all happened quickly,&quot; Vatican News said, quoting people who were with the pontiff in his final moments.&quot;It was a discreet death, almost sudden, without long suffering or public alarm, for a pope who had always been very reserved about his health.&quot;Francis credited Strappetti with once having saving his life for having persuaded him to undergo surgery for an inflammation in his intestine.His funeral will be held on Saturday.<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OrIk9nEUKcQ??si=qLJ-Z_e0QDgMCn6g&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>

The pope appeared exhausted during Easter celebrations on Sunday, but nevertheless greeted the crowd and drove around St Peter's Square cheered by thousands of rapt worshippers.

The pope appeared exhausted during Easter celebrations on Sunday, but nevertheless greeted the crowd and drove around St Peter's Square cheered by thousands of rapt worshippers.

Vatican recounts Pope Francis' last hours | ABS-CBN

Halalan 2025

Entertainment

News

Metro.Style

Lifestyle

Sports

More

Traffic

Horoscope

World

Vatican recounts Pope Francis' last hours

Vatican recounts Pope Francis' last hours

Agence France-Presse

Published Apr 22, 2025 09:07 PM PHT

|

Updated Apr 23, 2025 12:17 AM PHT

Read More:

ABSnews

Pope Francis

Vatican

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.