Pope's heartbreaking eight word health update days before his death
The late Pope Francis claimed he was 'living it as best' as he could just days before his death.
The pontiff died today aged 88 after spending his final weeks in hospital with an infection that developed into pneumonia in both lungs.
A day before his death, the Pope emerged on Easter Sunday to bless thousands of people in St Peter's Square.
His appearance had been highly anticipated after he was discharged from hospital following five weeks of treatment last month.
It was hoped that, following months of medical issues, the Pope's health had turned a corner.
He performed one official engagement in Easter Week, visiting a jail in Rome, delegating other duties to his cardinals.
He also made a brief appearance inside the basilica on Saturday, where he prayed and gave candies to some children among the visitors.
After about how he felt in his current condition, he told a reporter last week: 'I am living it as best I can.'
Despite several previous health issues and reduced mobility caused in part by his advancing years and expanding waistline, the pontiff had kept up a busy schedule until his final weeks.
In September 2024, he carried out a 12-day tour across south-east Asia and Oceania that included visits to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Singapore.
When he was discharged from hospital, his doctors had said he would need at least two months of rest at his residence.
The pontiff had presented 'two very critical episodes' where his 'life was in danger' while in hospital, according to one of the doctors who took care of him.
But he appeared keen not to be confined to his rooms at the Casa Santa Maria.
The late figure made surprise appearances at the end of Masses and visits to St Peter's Basilica amid hope that his condition was improving.
In the last week of his life, he appeared in public twice without the nasal cannula through which he has been receiving oxygen.
Yesterday he met briefly with US Vice President JD Vance – a Catholic convert who was received into the church in 2019.
'The meeting, which lasted a few minutes, gave the opportunity to exchange greetings on Easter Sunday', the Vatican said.
His Easter blessing was delivered by a clergy member as the pontiff sat alongside him.
Given his delicate health, it had not been certain whether the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics would be presen at all.
It said: 'There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and respect for the views of others.
'What a great thirst for death, for killing we see in the many conflicts raging in different parts of the world.'
He also remembered the people of Gaza, particularly its Christian population, as the conflict 'causes death and destruction' and creates a 'deplorable humanitarian situation'.
The message added: 'I express my closeness to the sufferings... for all the Israeli people and the Palestinian people.
'Call a ceasefire, release the hostages and come to the aid of a starving people that aspires to a future of peace.'
35,000 people gathered yesterday in front of St Peter's Basilica in the hope of catching a glimpse of Pope Francis.
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