(Nexstar) – A new Vatican report shows that shortly before his death, Pope Francis expressed his gratitude to his personal medical assistant.
Francis, 88, died of a stroke Monday, which caused him to fall into coma and lead to heart failure. He was recently hospitalized for 38 days due to a respiratory crisis that led to dual pneumonia.
On Sunday, Francis made his final reveal on a Popemobile tour through Easter blessings and cheering crowds of St. Peters Square.
The Pope did not preside about the Vatican Easter Mass, but although he was on a limited workload since his hospitalization, he appeared to deliver two blessings and messages a year: “Urbi et Orbi” or “to the city and the world.”
He also gives and reads his pre-prepared statement to the ritual master. With those comments, Francis called for a ceasefire in Gaza. He advocated the mercy of “fragile, marginalized, immigrants.” It fostered peace in Ukraine, Myanmar and the Congo.
He was not able to become a prominent participant at past Easter Mass, but Francis was grateful for his attendance.
“Thank you for taking me to the square,” Francis told his personal healthcare assistant, Masimiliano Strapetti, shortly before his death, Vatican News reported. Francis previously believed that Strapetti saved his life after the Pope recommended he undergo colon surgery.
According to Vatican News, Strapetti remained with Francis during his hospitalization and recovery at Casa Santa Malta and was with him on Easter Sunday.
Francis reportedly closed on Sunday after Easter Mass and “had a quiet dinner.” Early on Monday morning, Vatican News says Francis experienced “the first sign of a sudden illness.”
Despite the immediate response, Francis was said to have made a “hand parting gesture” to Strapetti about an hour later, then fell into coma. His death “occasionally happened” and people with him told the Vatican news “he was not suffering.”
Pope Francis is currently located in the province of St. Peter’s Cathedral. His funeral in St. Peter Square is set for Saturday.
Following his will, Francis is to be buried with the former Pope in St. Peter’s Cathedral or its basement, but in Major St. Mary’s Cathedral, near the symbol of Mary, which he cherished. He called for his tomb to be “on the ground, without any particular decoration, and only inscription: Franciscus, or Francis’ Latin.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
