Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the physician attending to Pope Francis during his final moments, has shared some touching insights about the late pontiff’s last days. The Pope passed away on Easter Monday, following a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, as officially announced by the Vatican.
At the age of 88, Pope Francis left a profound legacy, and Dr. Alfieri, who had been involved in his care, shed light on the critical morning of April 21. He describes being summoned to the Vatican, receiving the call at 5:30 a.m., and reaching there shortly after. Upon his arrival, he found the Pope conscious but unresponsive, with his eyes open but unable to engage.
Dr. Alfieri, director of the medical-surgical department at the Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital, noted there were no respiratory issues initially. After unsuccessful attempts to awaken the Pope through name calls and stimuli, he realized the somber truth—Pope Francis had slipped into a coma.
Faced with suggestions from others to rush the Pope to the hospital, Dr. Alfieri deemed it too late for any intervention. “It was one of those strokes that, in an hour, carries you away,” he explained, emphasizing that even additional medical tests would not have altered the outcome.
After being released on March 23, following a five-week hospital stay battling double pneumonia, the Pope had been advised to rest for at least two months. However, Pope Francis was known for his dedication and soon resumed some of his papal duties, albeit carefully adhering to medical advice.
Just days before his demise, he participated in the Holy Thursday tradition by visiting the Regina Coeli prison in Rome on April 17. Despite his frail health, he engaged with the inmates, offering encouragement and gifting them Rosaries and pocket-sized Gospels. Traditionally, Pope Francis would perform a foot-washing ritual as a gesture of humility, echoing Jesus before the Last Supper. This year, due to health constraints, he could not perform this ritual.
Feeling a significant void for not upholding the tradition, the Pope shared with Dr. Alfieri his heartfelt regret: “This time, I couldn’t do it,” referring to his inability to wash the feet of the prisoners.
A notable moment in his final days included a meeting with US Vice President JD Vance on Easter Sunday, after which Pope Francis addressed thousands from St. Peter’s Basilica’s balcony. Just a day later, he passed away, reflecting his desire to fulfill his papal duties until the end.
Recounting a personal moment, Dr. Alfieri recalled bringing the Pope a pie on the Saturday before his passing, embracing Pope Francis’ fondness for the simple pleasures amidst his dedicated work. The doctor fondly remembered, “I am very well, I have started working again, and I like it,” as the Pope told him. It was testimony to Pope Francis living his last days as he had always wished—serving and leading the Church.
