Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the Head of Pope Francis’ medical team, recently shared a deeply moving account of the pontiff’s final moments before his death on April 21. In an interview with La Repubblica, an Italian media source, Alfieri revealed that the Pope’s last regret was not being able to perform a foot-washing ritual for detainees, a tradition he had carried out in previous years.
The Pope had expressed his regret to Alfieri just days before his passing.According to Alfieri, Pope Francis was deeply moved during his visit to inmates on April 17. While he was pleased to meet them, the Pope wished he could have conducted the foot-washing ceremony, an important act for the Catholic Church on Holy Thursday.
Alfieri recalled the Pope saying, “He regretted that he could not wash the feet of the prisoners. This time I couldn’t do it.” Those were reportedly his last words to the doctor, highlighting the Pope’s deep sense of humility and his commitment to serving others, even in the final days of his life.
Alfieri also described how Pope Francis passed away peacefully, although the doctor acknowledged that rapid medical intervention would not have changed the outcome. He recalled receiving an urgent call early on the morning of April 21, instructing him to visit the Pope’s residence at the Vatican.
Upon his arrival 20 minutes later, Alfieri found the Pope conscious but unresponsive. Despite this, he noted that the Pope’s eyes suddenly opened as he approached the room, which left him with a glimmer of hope, though his evaluation quickly showed that the Pope had no respiratory issues.
Alfieri tried calling the Pope’s name, but there was no response, and at that moment, the doctor understood that the Pope had slipped into a coma.
The doctor admitted that there was little that could have been done to save him. Even though some officials suggested sending the Pope to the hospital for further treatment, Alfieri explained that it would have been futile.
Taking the Pope to the hospital could have potentially been life-threatening, and further medical procedures, such as a CT scan, would only confirm what was already clear there was no chance of recovery.”It was one of those strokes that, in an hour, carries you away,” Alfieri explained.
This statement emphasized the inevitability of the situation. Despite the severity of his illness, Pope Francis had always followed the advice of his doctors and made sure not to overexert himself. He had shown resilience throughout his battle with pneumonia earlier in the year but had remained aware of his limits, choosing not to push himself beyond what was feasible.
As Alfieri recounted the Pope’s final days, it became evident how deeply Pope Francis cared for others, even until the very end. His regret about not being able to perform the foot-washing ceremony for prisoners is a testament to his humility and desire to serve those in need.
His passing, while peaceful, marked the end of an era for the Catholic Church and left many reflecting on the Pope’s immense impact on the world.
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