As the world mourns, those close to Pope Francis have shared intimate details of his final hours, revealing a farewell marked by humility and deep gratitude.
In his last moments, he made a simple hand gesture—his final goodbye to the person who had stood by him through illness.
His final words were directed at his longtime nurse and personal healthcare assistant, Massimiliano Strappetti: “Thank you for bringing me back to the Square.” These nine words captured the Pope’s unwavering desire to remain close to the people.
Strappetti, who once recommended colon surgery that extended the Pope’s life, had become a constant presence, watching over him at Gemelli Hospital and later at Casa Santa Marta. Just before his passing, Pope Francis rode through St. Peter’s Square one last time in the popemobile—something he insisted on doing despite his condition—after asking Strappetti, “Do you think I can manage it?”
That final return to the people symbolized the core of his papacy: humility, presence, and love for the faithful.
