Pope Francis died without pain and did not suffer

24. Apr 2025 at 8:31 I Updated at 9:40

In the Basilica of St. Petra continues the parting with the deceased Pope Francis.

Vatican. Pope Francis He died without pain and did not suffer from the last moments of life. Did not die of breathing problems, he said in an interview for Thursday Il Messaggero’s Italian daily release His attending physician Sergio Alfieri.

As APA recalled, the alfieri treated the Pope during his recent stay at the Roman clinic Agostin Gemelli.

In an interview for this Italian daily Alfieri, he described how to it early in the morning at Easter Monday contacted the Pope’s nurse Massimiliano Strappetti, saying that the Pope does not feel well.

The doctor arrived at the house of St. Marty, where the Pope lived throughout his pontificate, at about 06:20 h – 06:30. Francis was no longer conscious at that time, he was in a coma and had his eyes open. The doctor examined his lungs with a stethoscope that were « clean ».

The Pope had no shortness of breath, there was no symptoms that could lead to a respiratory crisis as he had during his recent hospital stay, Alfieri added.

According to Alfieri, radiological findings from a fateful day are not available as the Pope died in his apartment and not in the hospital.

« But whether it was a bleeding in the brain or a stroke, he certainly did not die of breathing problems, » the alfieri confirmed, adding that the Pope had no pain before the death and did not suffer.

The Vatican later officially announced that the cause of the death of 88-year-old František was a stroke and irreversible cardiovascular collapse. According to Alfieri, any other guesses about the causes of the Pope’s death « are not worth considering. »

Sergio Alfieri treated Pope Francis not only during his recent hospitalization, but also operated on in 2021 and 2023.

Alfieri was a student of Giovanni Battisto Dogliett, who was a member of the Francesco Crucitti team, a surgeon known for the medical care of Pope John Paul II.

Pope Francis died the day after an Easter Sunday granted the blessing of Urbi et Orbi (the city Rome and the world), then he took a ride along the St. Peter’s Square in Papamobile and greeted the pilgrims.

Public farewell continues

Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican on Thursday from 07.00 h, they reopened for believers and pilgrims to pay tribute to František.

On Wednesday, when the open coffin with the body was exhibited by the main altar above the grave of St. Peter, called the altar of the confession, has honored the memory of the deceased Pope within 8.5 hours of approximately 20,000 people.

It is assumed that with the approaching Saturday’s funeral, the interest of people will increase.

In connection with it Italy prepares an extensive security operation: world leaders including hundreds of thousands of grieving believers are to be joined US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Greenland. The authorities expect up to 170 foreign delegations.

According to the interviews collected by AFP before the basilica, four hours were waiting for the entrance to the temple on Wednesday.

Around the coffin with the body of the Pope, who is wearing a red a chasuble, white mitra, black shoes AA between the fingers of the rosary, it is necessary to pass within a few seconds. Many people still need to take photos or videos with their smartphones.

Basilica of St. Peter will remain open to the public on Thursday until midnight. On Friday it will be accessible until 7 pm, as the coffin was sealed.

The funeral will be on Saturday

On Saturday, after the funeral ceremonies in front of the Basilica of Sts. Peter, the coffin with the body in accordance with the wishes of the deceased Pope, will be transferred to the Pope’s favorite temple in Rome – the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (Basilica of the Virgin Mary larger), where it will be buried in a simple grave marked with the inscription Franciscus (Francis in Latin).

To prepare a funeral Two Slovak priests also participate Ján Dubina and Ľubomír Welnitz. Both of them have been acting as papal ceremonies for several years.

On Saturday’s funeral mass, nine days of mourning for the Pope (Novemdiales) will begin in accordance with the tradition.

This period will end on May 4, and every day will be used by another of the selected cardinals.

For the time being, the Vatican has not announced the date of the Conclave on which the Cardinals will elect František’s successor. Cardinals, who are already in Rome, will meet at their next meeting on Thursday at 09:00.