Latest news with #MassimilianoStrappetti
ABC News
23-04-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Pope Francis's final hours: A simple dinner, a wave to a friend and a meeting with an adversary
As he glided around St Peter's Square in his popemobile on Sunday, the fact he was 88 and had just spent several weeks in hospital somehow seemed a distant memory. Pope Francis's appearance on the most important day of the Catholic calendar captured the imagination and sparked gushing headlines around the globe. Medical advice be gone! This was a triumphant return. Hours later, he was dead — a demise so sudden it surprised even some senior church figures. As one source explained: "We thought it would happen a month ago." The pontiff was elderly and unwell, and yet — publicly at least — there were signs he may endure. Recovering from bronchitis and double pneumonia, Pope Francis emerged from his convalescence on Easter Sunday. He smiled, waved and blessed babies as the gleaming white vehicle he sat atop rolled past the crowds in Vatican City. Church insiders told the ABC they interpreted this moment as the clearest indication yet their leader was "OK". Then everything changed. Healthcare assistant Massimiliano Strappetti leans in to speak with Pope Francis during the ride on Sunday. ( Reuters: Yara Nardi ) Was what looked like a greeting actually a goodbye? And what were his final words? Who was with him at the end? Italy's media, renowned for indulging rumours throughout the pope's illness, has offered plenty of speculation. A Vanity Fair feature published shortly after his death pondered the timing. "He seemed to know. And perhaps, in his heart, he had already decided," it began. The Vatican's press machine shared intimate details about the Pontiff's last moments, which were spent with his personal healthcare assistant, Massimiliano Strappetti, among others. Their relationship has been cemented over the past three years, and they're now considered extremely close. Pope Francis had been anxious about aspects of the Easter Sunday schedule, at one point asking: "Do you think I can do this?" For someone seldom seen in public since mid-February, Easter Sunday was particularly involved for the octogenarian. Vatican officials said the Pope was "presiding" over the church's holy week events which began on April 13. But which ones he'd actually be at in person was a more complex question. That didn't mean he wasn't working, though. On Holy Thursday, for example, Pope Francis visited a prison in Rome and met inmates, but wasn't seen at the official Vatican service that day. He also pulled out of attending a Good Friday procession at the Colosseum in a seemingly last-minute decision the Holy See press office said was "to preserve his health". The Pope's body will lie in state in St Peter's Basilica until late Friday. ( ABC News: Che Chorley ) By Sunday however, he was back. Defying doctors' orders to rest and avoid large crowds, Pope Francis appeared on a loggia overlooking the St Peter's Square for around 20 minutes. An aide first delivered a message on his behalf, denouncing policies that incited "contempt for the vulnerable, the marginalised, and the migrants". It was about as subtle as a sledgehammer, given the Pontiff had met with US Vice President JD Vance earlier that day. Pope Francis has struggled to speak for long periods since his respiratory infections, but to the delight of the 50,000 worshippers below, he exclaimed: "Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!" His subsequent popemobile ride through the throngs lasted about 15 minutes. It was the first time he'd used the vehicle since spending 39 days in hospital earlier in the year, and the outing was planned meticulously. Pope Francis speaks from a balcony over St Peter's Square on Sunday. ( Reuters: Yara Nardi ) According to the Vatican, Pope Francis's meeting with Mr Vance had been brief; just long enough for the pair to exchange Easter greetings. The Vice President's motorcade was in the area for less than 20 minutes. He left with three large chocolate eggs for his children. Mr Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, has been at odds with the Pontiff on migration issues. In a February letter to US bishops, Pope Francis had said the White House's policy of "mass deportations" went against Christian teachings and had left entire families "in a state of particular vulnerability and defencelessness". Mr Vance has continued to defend his views. "Yes, I'm aware that he had some disagreements with some of the policies of our administration ... I'm not going to soil the man's legacy by talking about politics," he said, when asked about it on Wednesday. JD Vance and Pope Francis have had disagreements, but met briefly on Easter Sunday. ( Supplied: Vatican Press Office ) The Holy See, in its updates, provided details of what the pontiff's last words were to his close friend, Mr Strappetti. After Easter Sunday mass had finished, and with his public duties over, Pope Francis turned to his confident and said: "Thank you for taking me to the square." He then returned to his Vatican apartment and had a simple dinner before turning in. He woke at 5:30am the next day, feeling ill. About an hour later, he waved at Mr Strappetti, and fell into a coma. Over the course of his health battle this year, the Vatican has released intimate information as to the Pope's condition that have, at times, made for difficult reading. It was done at his request, and formed part of a push for increased transparency. The last one it offered, announcing the pontiff's death on Monday, was a little more dignified. "Those who were near him in those moments say he didn't suffer," it said. Easter services, and Pope Francis' death have drawn large crowds to Vatican City. ( ABC News: Che Chorley )
Daily Record
22-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Pope Francis' final moments show rapid deterioration before his death
The pontiff is understood to have woken at 6am on Monday and was fine for at least an hour. However around 7am Vatican medics rushed to an emergency call from his Casa Santa Marta apartment. Pope Francis died around 30 minutes after he took unwell on Easter Monday, according to reports. The pontiff is understood to have woken at 6am on Monday and was fine for at least an hour. However around 7am Vatican medics rushed to an emergency call from his Casa Santa Marta apartment. It is reported that doctors considered taking him back to the Gemeli hospital where he was recently treated for pneumonia and an urgent escort was requested from police. However that escort was quickly cancelled at 7.35am as the Pope's health deteriorated, a source has said. As the Mirror reports, the head of the Catholic Church, died on Monday aged 88 from a stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure. He was still recovering from a serious health scare of pneumonia which hospitalised him for five weeks before his shock death. He made his last public appearance on Sunday, delivering a blessing and looping around the Vatican City's famous square in his popemobile. Francis initially had doubts about the ride, Vatican News reported. 'Do you think I can manage it?'' the pope asked Massimiliano Strappetti, his personal health care assistant, according to the news agency. The Argentine pope was reassured, and he stopped to reach out to people, especially children, as he was driven through the crowd of 50,000 — the first time since his release from the hospital that he had mixed with the faithful at large. Afterward, Francis told Strappetti, 'Thank you for bringing me back to the square,' Vatican News said. His Easter appearance from the same loggia where he was introduced to the world as the first pope from the Americas on March 13, 2013, was a fitting bookend to a 12-year papacy that sought to shake up the church and return it to its Gospel-mandated mission of caring for the poorest. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The pope died after a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, the Vatican has now confirmed. He had resumed some official duties earlier this month during his recovery from double pneumonia. The Vatican statement on the Pope's death read: "I certify that His Holiness Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) born in Buenos Aires (Argentina) on December 17, 1936, Resident in Vatican City, Vatican Citizen, died at 7:35 am on April 21, 2025 in his apartment at the Domus Santa Marta (Vatican City) due to: stroke, coma, irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse." Francis' funeral will be held Saturday at 10am local time (9am UK time) in St. Peter's Square, celebrated by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. U.S. President Donald Trump said he and first lady Melania Trump plan to attend, and Argentine President Javier Milei is also expected. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will also be in attendance. Meanwhile, Prince William will represent King Charles at the funeral in keeping with modern tradition in what will be a major milestone in William's role as a global statesman and future king. He will lie in state starting Wednesday in St. Peter's Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history's first Latin American pontiff. According to current norms, the conclave to choose Francis' successor must begin between May 5 and 10.
Times
22-04-2025
- Health
- Times
Pope Francis funeral: behind the scenes as cardinals plan and prepare
Some of Pope Francis's last words were revealed on Tuesday as thousands prepared to pay their respects in St Peter's Basilica and world leaders announced plans to fly in for his funeral on Saturday. Among the last things Francis told his nurse before his fatal stroke on Monday was 'thank you for bringing me back to the square', a reference to the assistance that enabled him to greet crowds in St Peter's Square on Easter Sunday, a day before he died. The Pope had earlier asked Massimiliano Strappetti: 'Do you think I can manage it?' but was encouraged to ride in the 'popemobile' to conserve his energy. By about 5.30am the following morning 'the first signs of illness appeared', the Vatican reported. 'Over an hour
Hindustan Times
22-04-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Pope Francis' final emotional words were dedicated to Massimiliano Strappetti; Who is she?
The Vatican said on Tuesday that Pope Francis' final remarks included a sincere thank you to his personal health care helper. While getting emotional, the 88-year-old pope, who passed on Monday due to a stroke and subsequent heart failure, thanked Massimiliano Strappetti, a nurse and caregiver, for persuading him to take one last ride in the popemobile on Easter. Following his release from Rome's Gemelli Hospital this year, the sick pope questioned Strappetti, 'Do you think I can manage it?'
South China Morning Post
22-04-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Vatican recounts Pope's last words: ‘thank you for bringing me back to St Peter's square'
Pope Francis thanked his personal nurse for encouraging him to greet the crowds in St Peter's Square on Easter Sunday, according to the Vatican, which said that these were among his last words. Advertisement The Argentine pontiff, 88, died on Monday morning from a stroke, less than a month after returning home from five weeks in hospital battling double pneumonia. 'Thank you for bringing me back to the square,' Francis told his nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, after what would be his final Popemobile ride, according to the Vatican News, the Holy See's media outlet. The pope appeared exhausted during Easter celebrations on Sunday, but still greeted the crowd and drove around St Peter's Square, cheered by thousands of rapt worshippers. 'Do you think I can manage it?' he had asked Strappetti before taking the plunge. Advertisement The nurse, in whom he had complete confidence, reassured him. Francis then spent about 15 minutes waving at the crowd and blessing babies from his Popemobile, flanked by numerous bodyguards.
