VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis, the 88-year-old leader of the Catholic Church, succumbed to an abrupt stroke on Monday morning. His attending physician confirmed the pontiff experienced no prolonged suffering, and medical intervention would no
t have altered the outcome.
t have altered the outcome.
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, chief of the pope’s medical team and a surgeon at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, disclosed these details in interviews with Italian media on Thursday. Alfieri had previously overseen Francis’ care during his five-week hospitalization earlier this year for severe pneumonia.
The Final Moments
Alfieri recounted receiving an urgent call at approximately 5:30 a.m. local time and arriving at the Vatican within 20 minutes. Upon entering the pope’s quarters, he found Francis unresponsive.
"His eyes were open, but he showed no signs of respiratory distress," Alfieri told Corriere della Sera. "When he didn’t respond to verbal cues, I recognized he was in a coma. At that point, further medical efforts would have been futile."
In an interview with La Repubblica, the doctor dismissed suggestions to transfer Francis to a hospital, explaining that the stroke’s severity made survival impossible. "A CT scan would only have confirmed the diagnosis. These types of strokes are typically fatal within an hour," he said.A Sudden Decline
The pope’s death stunned the world, as he had appeared in good spirits just a day earlier during Easter Sunday celebrations in St. Peter’s Square. His resilience after a 38-day hospitalization in March had fueled optimism about his recovery, though doctors had advised a two-month rest period to recuperate.
Despite his frailty, Francis maintained a limited schedule, including a meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Easter and a visit to a Rome prison on April 17. Alfieri emphasized that the pope balanced medical advice with his duties: "Resuming work was therapeutic for him, and he never endangered his health."
Final Regrets
Alfieri last saw Francis on Saturday, hours before the stroke. "He was in high spirits and even enjoyed a slice of his favorite pie," the doctor recalled. The pontiff had expressed satisfaction with his return to duties, stating,"I feel well, and I’m glad to be working again."
Yet Francis harbored one lingering regret: missing the traditional Holy Thursday foot-washing ritual at the prison. "His final words to me were, ‘This time, I couldn’t do it,’" Alfieri shared, referencing the symbolic act of humility.
The physician reflected on Francis’ unwavering commitment: "He wished to serve as pope until his last breath—and he did."
