VATICAN — As the world continues to mourn the death of Pope Francis, his longtime physician, Dr. Sergio Alfieri, has offered an emotional glimpse into the Pope’s final hours—and his parting regret.
In an exclusive interview with Italian outlets La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera, Alfieri shared details that paint a deeply human portrait of the pontiff’s last moments.
And in classic Pope Francis fashion, it wasn’t about himself—it was about the people he served.
The One Ritual He Regretted Missing
Dr. Alfieri, head of the pontiff’s medical team, revealed that the Pope’s final words to him carried a quiet sorrow: regret over not being able to wash the feet of prisoners during Holy Week.
Though he visited a prison on April 17, he was physically unable to perform the traditional Holy Thursday foot-washing ritual, a symbol of humility and service deeply embedded in the Pope’s papacy.
“He regretted that he could not wash the feet of the prisoners,” Alfieri told La Repubblica. “‘This time I couldn’t do it’—that was the last thing he said to me.”
This small but significant omission weighed on Francis, who had often used the ritual to highlight the dignity of society’s most marginalized, from refugees to inmates.
The Final Moments: Quiet, Swift, and Serene
The Pope’s final hours began with a 5:30 a.m. emergency call to Dr. Alfieri, who rushed to the Vatican just 20 minutes later.
When he entered the pontiff’s private quarters, the Pope opened his eyes briefly—but said nothing. Though conscious, he was unresponsive. A quick assessment showed no respiratory distress, but something was clearly wrong.
“I tried to call his name, but he did not respond to me,” Alfieri recalled. “In that moment, I knew there was nothing more to do. He was in a coma.”
Despite attempts to discuss a possible emergency transfer to the hospital, the Vatican team ultimately decided that such a move would likely be in vain.
The stroke that claimed Pope Francis’ life was too severe, and, as Alfieri described it, “one of those strokes that, in an hour, carries you away.”
This isn’t the first time Alfieri has been at the Pope’s side during health scares. Earlier this year, he treated Francis for pneumonia, and said that while the pontiff had been weak, he always followed medical advice and didn’t overexert himself.
Faith, Grace, and Letting Go
Even as he faced his final days, Pope Francis remained true to the values that defined his papacy—compassion, humility, and obedience to care. Alfieri noted that Francis never resisted medical instructions and respected the advice of his caregivers.
While the death came suddenly, it wasn’t chaotic. There were no desperate measures, no panicked last-minute interventions—just a quiet recognition that this was the moment.
“Doing a CT scan would’ve helped us confirm the diagnosis,” Alfieri told Corriere della Sera, “but it wouldn’t have changed the outcome.”
For a Pope who asked to be remembered as “a sinner,” it feels fitting that his final thought was not about legacy, but about missed service.
Final Reflection: The Pope Who Led by Example—Even in Death
Pope Francis’ death may have come quietly, but his legacy echoes loudly—from the prisons of Rome to the refugee camps of Lesbos. That his final words were about what he couldn’t do for others says more about his character than any eulogy ever could.
As Catholics and admirers around the world remember his compassion and courage, one thing is clear: Even in his last breath, Francis was still trying to kneel and serve.
