In his final hours, Pope Francis — beloved for his humility and compassion — offered a quiet, heartfelt farewell.
His last words weren’t to a cardinal or world leader, but to his longtime nurse and caregiver, Massimiliano Strappetti, who stood by him through serious illness: “Thank you for bringing me back to the Square.”
Just hours earlier, the Pope had taken an unplanned ride through St. Peter’s Square after his Easter Sunday blessing — a symbolic goodbye. He smiled, waved, and embraced children one last time.
Later that day, he had a simple dinner and went to bed. At dawn, he fell ill, shared a final gesture with Strappetti, slipped into a coma, and passed peacefully at 88.
Strappetti, a quiet figure in the Vatican’s medical team, has cared for three Popes. Appointed Francis’s personal healthcare assistant in 2022, he’s known for his calm, devotion, and low profile.
Despite recent health battles, including double pneumonia, Francis stayed active to the end. He left no grand statement — just a final, simple thank you. A fitting goodbye from a Pope who led with heart.