Pope Francis’ Final Moments Revealed — A Farewell Full of Grace and Compassion

Pope Francis’ Final Nine Words and Heartbreaking Last Gesture Before His Death Revealed

Those closest to the Pope have shared what really transpired in his last hours, including his heartfelt farewell gesture and the words he decided to leave behind, as the world grieves.

In his last moments, Pope Francis made a small but impactful parting gesture with his hand to the man who had supported him during his sickness.

Shortly before, he had uttered nine heartfelt words, which remain his final known words: “Thank you for bringing me back to the Square.” Massimiliano Strappetti, the nurse who had taken on a pivotal role in the Pope’s last years, was the recipient of those remarks.

Strappetti was more than just a caregiver; he was the one who once suggested colon surgery to save the Pope’s life. In 2022, Pope Francis named him his personal healthcare assistant in recognition of his steadfast commitment.

During the Pope’s last hospital stay at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital and afterward at the Casa Santa Marta, where he kept 24-hour vigil, Strappetti stayed by his side.

Strappetti was present at the Urbi et Orbi blessing on Easter Sunday, which would be Pope Francis’ final public appearance. They had gone over the route he would take to reach St. Peter’s Basilica’s Central Loggia the day before.

Following the blessing, Pope Francis had planned to ride in the popemobile in an attempt to surprise the 50,000 worshippers assembled in the Piazza.

However, he paused and asked his helper, “Do you think I can manage it?” to get advice.

Yes, he did. He went back to the square that Sunday, enjoying the crowd and giving the kids extra attention. It was his last ride in a popemobile and the first he had taken after being released from the hospital.

Turning to Strappetti, he murmured, “Thank you for bringing me back to the Square.” He was tired but satisfied.

He then made clear how much he wanted to be near the people, which had been a guiding principle of his pontificate from the beginning.

He ate a peaceful meal and went to bed later that day. The following morning, around 5:30 a.m., he began to exhibit symptoms of an unexpected sickness.

Pope Francis fell into a coma around an hour after the medical staff’s prompt response.

He gave Strappetti a final wave of his hand as he lay in bed on the second floor of Casa Santa Marta, just before he passed out.

Those who were there said he did not suffer. The abrupt and covert death was consistent with the Pope’s reticent attitude on his health.

Pope Francis has vowed to travel “together” with God’s people since his election on March 13, 2013. He fulfilled that vow with humility, kindness, and grace in his final hours.

It was determined that a stroke, followed by an irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse and coma, was the cause of death. The formal accreditation was given by Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Vatican City State’s Directorate of Health and Hygiene.

The Pope had numerous bronchiectases, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and severe respiratory failure from multimicrobial bilateral pneumonia, according to a report issued by the Holy See Press Office. Electrocardiographic thanatography proved his demise.

One of the last world leaders to meet with Pope Francis, Vice President JD Vance, exchanged three final words with the Pope during his recent journey to the Vatican.

These statements now have more significance in light of the Pope’s passing.

On Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, Vance, a convert to Catholicism, met Pope Francis at the Domus Santa Marta in Vatican City. According to Vatican video footage, the Pope, seated in a wheelchair, seemed weak and could not be heard.

Vance leaned down and took the pontiff’s hand as he entered the chamber. “Hello,” he said. “So good to see you.” There was no audible response from the Pope. In his place, a priest who was serving as a translator spoke.

Nevertheless, Vance, who was clearly saddened by the situation, gave consolation. “I know you’ve not been feeling great, but it’s good to see you in better health,” he stated.

Following a brief conversation and a picture of Vance standing to the Pope’s right, the vice president said, “God bless you.”

Vance’s final three words to Pope Francis were words of reverence, said just before the Pope’s death. The meeting was brief, but it was very important.

Pope Francis and Vance had openly clashed over issues like the deportation and immigration policy of the Trump administration. The Easter Sunday meeting was friendly and amicable despite their divergent ideologies.

The Vatican claims that the two men got together to welcome each other on Easter. Only seventeen minutes were spent on Vatican property by Vance’s motorcade.

The meeting was confirmed by his office, but no other details were provided.

Vance met with top Vatican officials on Saturday, the day before their meeting, to talk with issues including immigration and international war, which dominated many of Pope Francis’ public remarks.

The Pope presented the vice president’s family with presents during the meeting. A priest gave Vance chocolate eggs and a platter filled with rosaries and a Vatican tie through his translator.

The priest remarked, “These are for your children,” “Thank you,” Vance said, taking the tie. So lovely.

Following the meeting, the vice president went to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls for Easter mass with his family. They also went to see the apostle Paul’s tomb.

Vance wrote a memorial to the Pope on X after his death, expressing his grief and considering the importance of their last encounter. “I recently found out that Pope Francis passed away.

He wrote, “My thoughts and prayers are with the millions of Christians who loved him around the world.

The article went on to say, “Even though he was clearly very sick, I was glad to meet him yesterday.

However, he offered the homily below in the early days of COVID, and for that I will always remember him. It was very stunning. May his soul rest in peace.