Pope's Doctor Recounts Francis' Last Moments in Newspaper Interview

Professor and surgeon Sergio Alfieri, who headed the team who treated Pope Francis during his hospitalisation, talks during an interview with the Associated Press at the Gemelli polyclinic hospital in Rome, Saturday, March 29, 2025

Pope Francis passed away early Monday morning after suffering an unexpected stroke at his residence in the Vatican. The 88-year-old pontiff died peacefully, without undue pain, according to Dr. Sergio Alfieri, head of the pope’s medical team and a physician at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.

Dr. Alfieri, who had previously overseen the pope’s five-week hospitalization for double pneumonia earlier this year, received an urgent call at around 5:30 a.m. on Monday from Francis’ personal health care assistant, Massimiliano Strappetti. He arrived at the Vatican roughly 20 minutes later.

“I entered his rooms and he had his eyes open,” Alfieri said. “I ascertained that there were no respiratory problems. I tried to call his name, but he did not respond to me. He also did not respond to stimuli, even painful ones. At that moment, I knew there was nothing more to do. He was in a coma.”

Pope Francis died quickly on Easter Monday

Alfieri explained that some present had suggested transporting the pope to Gemelli Hospital, but he cautioned that such a move would have been fatal. “He would have died on the way. Doing a scan might have given a more precise diagnosis, but it would not have changed the outcome. It was one of those strokes that, in an hour, carries you away,” he said.

The pontiff’s sudden death came as a shock. Just a day earlier, he had appeared vibrant and energetic, greeting crowds from the open-air popemobile during Easter Sunday celebrations in St. Peter’s Square. His public appearance suggested that his recovery from pneumonia was progressing well.

Despite his advanced age and recent illness, there had been no immediate public indications of a health crisis. After being discharged from Gemelli Hospital on March 23, Pope Francis had returned to the Vatican for a period of extended rest under medical supervision.

Pope Francis greets crowds in his popemobile on Easter Sunday

Alfieri confirmed that Francis had expressed his wish to remain in the Vatican should his condition worsen. “The pope wanted to die at home,” Alfieri stated. “He always said it while he was at Gemelli.”

The pope reportedly suffered the fatal stroke two hours before his death. Cardinal Pietro Parolin arrived at the scene shortly after and led the rosary beside the pontiff’s body, joined by members of the papal household. Alfieri said his final act was to gently caress the pope’s forehead in farewell.

Witnesses present during the final moments said Pope Francis did not appear to suffer and managed a small gesture of farewell to his assistant before becoming unresponsive.

A state funeral for the late pontiff will be held on Saturday at the Vatican. World leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, are expected to attend alongside dozens of official delegations.