In the quiet hours before his passing, Pope Francis chose to speak not to world leaders or cardinals, but to one humble man by his side 💔 🙏 — and his final words left a lasting echo 🕊️ Read what he said in the article 💬📜 — it’s a moment you won’t forget 👇
In the last hours of his life, Pope Francis — known around the world for being kind and humble — said a short but touching goodbye.
His final words, now made public, show the kind of man he truly was: someone who always stayed close to the people he served.
Surprisingly, the Pope didn’t direct his last message to a church leader, a politician, or a public figure.
Instead, he spoke to the man who had been by his side during difficult times — his nurse and personal caregiver, Massimiliano Strappetti. This was the same man who helped care for him when he was very sick with pneumonia.
“Thank you for bringing me back to the Square,” the Pope said quietly. It was just hours after he had taken one last ride through St. Peter’s Square in the popemobile. That moment followed his recovery from a long illness that had kept him in the hospital for five weeks.
That last trip in the popemobile wasn’t part of the plan. After giving his Easter Sunday blessing, the Pope paused and looked at Mr. Strappetti. “Do you think I can manage it?” he asked.
He made the ride anyway. And as it turned out, it was his way of saying goodbye.
Surrounded by crowds of faithful people, Pope Francis smiled, waved, and hugged children — just like he always had since becoming Pope in 2013. It was a powerful moment, full of love.
Later that day, he rested, shared a quiet meal, and went to bed. In the early morning hours, he suddenly became very ill. He gave Mr. Strappetti a final gesture — a simple farewell — before falling into a coma. By sunrise, he had passed away.
People who were there said it was a calm and peaceful death. It happened fast, without pain or fear. The way he left this world matched the way he had lived — with dignity and a deep wish for privacy.
Massimiliano Strappetti is 54 years old and one of the most trusted medical workers in the Vatican. He started his career at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, working in the ICU, but life soon took him in a different direction — one that led him to serve three Popes.
Over time, Strappetti became a key medical figure for Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis.
In April 2025, he was seen standing next to the Pope at the end of Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square — a quiet but important presence.
Because of his calm nature and long experience, Francis officially made him his personal health assistant in 2022 — a role that shows deep trust.
Even though he had such an important job, Strappetti stays out of the spotlight. His Facebook profile is simple, filled with family pictures and a few posts about his favorite soccer team, Lazio.
He never talks publicly about his work with the Pope. There are no big titles, no interviews — just a man who chooses to focus on helping others.
Pope Francis died at age 88 on a Monday morning. He had a stroke, followed by heart failure. Earlier that year, he spent 38 days in the hospital fighting a serious case of pneumonia.
He came back to the Vatican almost a month before his death and looked like he was getting better. But he didn’t take it easy — even though doctors had asked him to rest for two months, Francis chose to keep working.
In his last hours, he didn’t ask for praise or attention. Instead, he said thank you to the person who had helped him through tough times. That one small “thank you” gave the world a final look at a Pope who led with love and care.
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