Vatican recounts Pope’s last words: ‘thank you for bringing me back to St Peter’s square’
The Vatican said among Pope Francis’ final words were thanking his nurse for enabling his Easter appearance in St Peter’s Square
Pope Francis thanked his personal nurse for encouraging him to greet the crowds in St Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, according to the Vatican, which said that these were among his last words.
The Argentine pontiff, 88, died on Monday morning from a stroke, less than a month after returning home from five weeks in hospital battling double pneumonia.
“Thank you for bringing me back to the square,” Francis told his nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, after what would be his final Popemobile ride, according to the Vatican News, the Holy See’s media outlet.
The pope appeared exhausted during Easter celebrations on Sunday, but still greeted the crowd and drove around St Peter’s Square, cheered by thousands of rapt worshippers.
“Do you think I can manage it?” he had asked Strappetti before taking the plunge.
The nurse, in whom he had complete confidence, reassured him.
Francis then spent about 15 minutes waving at the crowd and blessing babies from his Popemobile, flanked by numerous bodyguards.