Pope Francis's doctor gives details of his last moments

“I brought his favorite cake and we talked”, he said.

Despite recommendations for a 60-day recovery, the pope had returned to work. The doctor said that the pope wanted to finish all that he had in mind as he pointed out that he had realized that the end was near. Ten days earlier he had sought to meet all those who had cared for him at Tzemelli.

I said we should do it after Easter”. His answer was: I had a clear feeling that he wanted to end a series of things before he died.

At the dawn of Easter Monday, the pope experienced serious deterioration. His personal assistant called Alfier. The doctor stressed that he went immediately and found him in a coma.

I went to Santa Marta immediately. I found it with my eyes open, but in a coma, he didn't respond to incentives. There was nothing to do. It was already at the bottom .” According to him, sending him to the hospital was considered dangerous and unnecessary.

He always said he wanted to die at home” And so it was” he stressed. The pope came to his senses a few minutes later, and Alfier stood by him along with medical and personal staff, while Cardinal Parrol invited everyone to pray together and they recited the Rosary.

Alfier recalls his first meeting with the Pope in 2018. When he experienced severe symptoms of his illness in 2021, he personally chose him for surgery. The operation was secretly organised. The Pope asked to come to Gemel without anyone knowing.

The pope had also sought Alfier's help to save the Catholic hospital “Fatebenefrateli”, which had almost been sold. With his intervention, necessary funds were provided, with the contribution of business and returned to Cardinal Francis Zo.