A simple and tender farewell
In his final moments, Francis is not alone. Around him, a small team of faithful, led by nurse Massimiliano Strappetti, holds his hand.
Cardinal Parolin arrives to recite the rosary, surrounding the Pope with an atmosphere of silent prayer, like a gentle lullaby to accompany his final journey . Alfieri, his faithful surgeon, offers him a final gesture of tenderness: a discreet caress on the hand.
“Thank you for bringing me back to the square.”
His last words, confided to Strappetti, resonate like a testament:
“Thank you for bringing me back to the square.”
This phrase sums up the Pope’s entire vision: to be among the people, until the very last moment. The day before his death, despite his fatigue, he made a point of greeting the crowd from the Popemobile, offering a final smile and a final blessing.
A fight against disease with dignity
Pope Francis has been battling serious illnesses for several years: hypertension, type 2 diabetes, bilateral pneumonia… But true to his motto “Forward, always forward” , he never let illness dictate his choices.
His death, caused by a stroke followed by cardiac arrest, occurred quietly, in keeping with a life devoted entirely to humility.
The legacy of a pope close to the people
Pope Francis was not just a pontiff. He was a shepherd among his flock , a simple man with an immense mission. His final days perfectly embody his vision of the world: closeness, humility, courage.
As we remember him, it is difficult not to be touched by such kindness and simplicity. A final peaceful journey for a Pope who lived and left this world as a man among men.
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