Pope Francis’ Doctor Recalls His Peaceful Final Moments/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Pope’s doctor says Francis fell into a coma early Monday. He was unresponsive but showed no signs of distress. The pontiff died peacefully two hours later at the Vatican.
Pope Francis’ Final Hours Recounted by His Doctor — Quick Looks
- Unresponsive at Dawn: Francis was found with eyes open, breathing but non-responsive.
- Doctor on the Scene: Dr. Sergio Alfieri arrived 20 minutes after being alerted.
- Coma Diagnosis: Pope slipped into a coma from a fatal stroke.
- Papal Wishes: Francis had requested to pass away at home in the Vatican.
- Spiritual Farewell: Cardinal Parolin led a rosary with household staff at his side.
- State Funeral Set: Burial scheduled for Saturday with global dignitaries expected.
Pope Francis Died Peacefully in Vatican, Doctor Reveals in New Interview
Deep Looks
ROME (April 24, 2025) — Pope Francis spent his final moments in a peaceful coma at the Vatican, according to his longtime physician, Dr. Sergio Alfieri, who recounted the final hours of the pontiff’s life in an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.
Francis, 88, passed away Monday morning, just two hours after suffering a massive stroke that left him unresponsive. Alfieri, who had overseen the pope’s treatment during a recent bout of pneumonia, was called to the papal residence at 5:30 a.m. by Francis’ health care assistant Massimiliano Strappetti.
“He had his eyes open. He was breathing normally,” Alfieri told Corriere. “But he didn’t respond to my voice or even to pain stimuli. In that moment, I knew there was nothing more to be done. He was in a coma.”
Alfieri said moving the pope to Gemelli Hospital, where he had previously been treated, was deemed too dangerous.
“He always said he wanted to die at home,” Alfieri added. “That was the Vatican. We honored that wish.”
Rosary and Farewells
Shortly after the stroke, Cardinal Pietro Parolin arrived at the Vatican, leading the rosary over the pope’s body, accompanied by members of the papal household. The gathering was solemn, filled with prayers and quiet reverence.
“I gave him a caress, as a farewell,” Alfieri said.
According to Vatican News, Francis even managed a brief gesture toward Strappetti after his collapse, suggesting he remained aware for a fleeting moment before slipping into unconsciousness. Witnesses said the pope did not appear to suffer.
A Peaceful Passing and a Global Goodbye
Francis’ death marked the end of a transformative 12-year papacy defined by a focus on humility, inclusion, and care for the poor. He had recently returned to the Vatican after a five-week hospitalization for double pneumonia, during which he reportedly came close to death twice.
A state funeral is scheduled for Saturday in St. Peter’s Square, expected to draw a host of global dignitaries, including U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and dozens of official delegations.
Security around the Vatican has already been tightened, and the Basilica has remained open late to accommodate the thousands paying their respects.
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