As widely reported, the pontiff died on Easter Monday (April 21) following a sudden stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure.
The Holy See revealed that initial signs of the Pope’s sudden illness emerged at approximately 5:30AM. Just an hour later, having made a silent gesture of farewell to his longtime nurse and aide Massimiliano Strappetti, he fell into a coma.
“According to those who were with him in his final moments, he did not suffer. It all happened quickly,” the Vatican stated, describing his death as “discreet … almost sudden, without long suffering or public alarm,” cited by PEOPLE.
Among his final words, spoken the previous day, was a simple expression of gratitude. “Thank you,” Pope Francis told Strappetti, a medical professional the Pontiff once credited with saving his life by recommending colon surgery.
Despite his frailty, the Pope made an unexpected appearance in the popemobile on Easter Sunday, offering blessings to over 35,000 worshippers in St. Peter’s Square.
Before the outing, he asked his aide: “Do you think I can manage it?” Following the blessing, he said: “Thank you for bringing me back to the Square.” According to Vatican officials, he was “tired but content”.
Later that day, he also held a private meeting with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance before retiring for the evening after a quiet dinner.
Under long-standing tradition, the Catholic Church has now entered a period of “sede vacante,” – which is when the papal seat remains vacant until a successor is elected.
He outlined his personal burial wishes in it: “I have always entrusted my life and my priestly and episcopal ministry to the Mother of Our Lord, Mary Most Holy. Therefore, I ask that my mortal remains rest awaiting the day of resurrection in the Papal Basilica of St Mary Major,” per The Independent.
He requested that his tomb be simple and unadorned, marked solely with the inscription “Franciscus.” He also specified the burial site within the basilica: “in the niche of the side nave between the Pauline Chapel, Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani, and the Sforza Chapel.”
The costs of the burial, according to the testament, are to be covered by an anonymous benefactor, with financial management entrusted to Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas.
In the final lines of his testament, the Pope wrote: “The suffering that has become present in the last part of my life I have offered to the Lord for peace in the world and brotherhood among peoples.”
Pope Francis became the first Latin American pontiff upon his election in 2013. He led the Catholic Church for more than a decade, often prioritizing the marginalised and promoting global peace.
Despite chronic health issues, including hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, and a history of respiratory complications, he remained active in his ministry.
“He hasn’t taken a holiday since the 1970s,” biographer Austen Ivereigh once remarked. Argentinean priest Esteban Alfon also noted that the Pope “always had the most needy in his heart”.
His body currently lies in an open casket and will be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica on April 23 for public viewing. The funeral is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 26.
