Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at age 88 following a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and heart failure, the Vatican confirmed. Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the Pope’s longtime physician, has since shared new details about the pontiff’s final moments—and his last regret.
Dr. Alfieri, who had treated the Pope during his hospital stay for double pneumonia weeks earlier, was called to the Vatican early on April 21. Arriving around 5:50 a.m., he found Francis conscious but unresponsive. “He had his eyes open but didn’t respond to stimuli—not even painful ones,” Alfieri told Corriere della Sera. “He was in a coma. There was nothing more to do.”
While some officials suggested taking the Pope to a hospital, Alfieri believed it was too late. “It was one of those strokes that, in an hour, carries you away,” he said.
Despite being ordered to rest for two months after his hospital release on March 23, Pope Francis continued working. On April 17, he visited inmates at Regina Coeli prison for Holy Thursday but skipped the traditional foot-washing ritual due to his health. “This year, I cannot do it,” he told the prisoners, “but I want to be close to you.”
His inability to perform the ritual became his final expressed regret. “This time, I couldn’t do it,” he told Dr. Alfieri, who said those were his last words.
Francis spent Easter Sunday meeting U.S. Vice President JD Vance and delivering a message to thousands from St. Peter’s Basilica. He passed away the next day, having remained active and faithful to his role until the end. “He didn’t let us down,” Dr. Alfieri said.
