Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the head of Pope Francis’ medical team, has shared emotional details about the Pope’s final moments before he passed away on Monday, April 21.
In an interview with the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Dr. Alfieri revealed the Pope’s last regret—something that remained on his heart in his final hours.
According to Dr. Alfieri, Pope Francis deeply regretted not being able to wash the feet of prisoners this year, a symbolic ritual that is traditionally carried out during Holy Thursday celebrations in the Catholic Church.
Although the Pope was grateful that he had managed to visit the inmates on April 17, he was saddened that he couldn’t carry out the full ceremony.
“His last words to me were, ‘I couldn’t do it this time,’ referring to the foot-washing,” Alfieri said during the interview.
The doctor, who had been treating Pope Francis for pneumonia earlier this year, explained that the pontiff passed away peacefully and with little suffering.
However, he also emphasized that even rapid medical intervention would not have changed the outcome.
Dr. Alfieri recalled receiving an emergency call at around 5:30 a.m. on Monday morning, instructing him to rush to the Vatican.
He arrived within 20 minutes, only to find the Pope in a state that was both conscious and unresponsive. As he entered the room, the Pope opened his eyes briefly, but did not speak.
“I checked to make sure he was not having trouble breathing, and I found no respiratory issues. Then I called out his name, but he didn’t answer.
At that moment, I realized there was nothing more we could do. He had slipped into a coma,” Alfieri recounted in a separate conversation with Corriere della Sera, another well-known Italian publication.
The doctor also revealed that some of the Vatican officials present during those final moments suggested that the Pope be rushed back to the hospital.
However, after a brief discussion, it was agreed that any further medical efforts would likely be in vain. There was a real concern that Pope Francis might not survive the journey to the hospital.
“Even if we had done a CT scan, we might have gotten a clearer picture of what was happening—but it wouldn’t have changed anything.
It was one of those types of strokes that takes a person quickly, sometimes within just an hour,” the doctor explained.
Despite the Pope’s health challenges, Alfieri noted that Francis always followed medical advice closely and did not overextend himself.
Even during his final days, he remained obedient to his doctors’ instructions and avoided putting unnecessary strain on his body.
In the end, Pope Francis’ final regret reflected his compassion and unwavering dedication to those on the margins of society.
His desire to serve—even in his last moments—spoke volumes about his humility and lifelong commitment to the teachings of Christ.
Join Our Political Forum official 2025 WhatsApp Channel To Stay Updated On time https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
