Pope. The last days of Francisco

Having appeared to the Basilica of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, to preside over the traditional blessing Urbi et Orbi – which can only be given by the Pope – on Easter day and greeted the crowd through his PapaMóvel, it was with surprise that the world received the news of Pope Francis’ death the next day.

The last days of the Supreme Pontiff seemed to show an improvement in her health, because she was appearing in public at time. On Holy Thursday, the 17th, she spent 30 minutes in a prison in Rome. And on Sunday morning there was still a brief 10-minute meeting with US Vice President Jd Vance at Santa Marta’s residence. The time for Francisco to deliver the US Easter Easter Eggs to his younger children, thirds and a Vatican tie.

Contrary to what was recommended by doctors who treated pneumonia that led to his hospitalization, Francisco declined to stop. At Santa Marta’s residence, where he lived, he attended masses and worked in the office. But even if he wanted to hide it, in public appearances the weak and tired voice was visible.

Nevertheless, the Vatican always wanted to convey a message of hope and a few times assured that the Pope’s state of health was evolving. Since leaving the hospital, she has always been surrounded by a medical team, day and night. During this time, he prayed a lot, wrote and signed messages.

In his last appearance, the Pope was not even wearing his nasal glasses connected to oxygen, something he used on many of the occasions he emerged in public since he was discharged. On the tour he took on Easter Sunday, the Pontiff’s vehicle slowly advanced between the crowd with temperatures around 21 degrees. About 35,000 faithful shouted alive Il Papa (live the Pope), in what was the last time the pontiff received the warmth of the faithful so intensely. The PapaMovel also made some stops so that Francis could bless babies brought by the papal advisors. Chambers, tears and smiles. The thrill of seeing Francisco, who for the first time did not celebrate the pascal masses, was real.

The last message

Before greeting the population thrilled to see him by surprise, Francisco still addressed mere words to the faithful. « Dear brothers and sisters, good Easter to all, » he said. The message, dealing with the master of ceremonies, Diego Ravelli, was directed at the time of resurrection and defeat over the evil experienced by the church. But it was more than that. «How much desire for death we see every day in so many conflicts that occur in different parts of the world! How often do we also see families, directed against women or children! How much contempt sometimes feels about the weaker, marginalized and migrants! », Francisco recalled, adding that I would like » to have hope and confidence in others, even in those who are not close to us or who come from distant land, modes of life, ideas and customs from those who are familiar to us, because we are all children of God! « . And he shot, « I would like us to have hope that peace is possible! »

Francisco was concerned about all the wars of the world and warned: “It is not possible to be peace where there is no religious freedom or where there is no freedom of thought or expression, no respect for the opinion of others. There is no peace possible without true disarmament!

And he also spoke to political power. «I appeal to all who, in the world, have political responsibilities so that they do not give in to the logic of fear that closes, but use the resources available to help the needy, combat hunger and promote initiatives that favor development. These are the « weapons » of peace: those that build the future instead of spreading death!

It was your last appearance. The next day, when he woke up, he was in a good mood, which was characteristic of him. The first signs of « sudden disease » emerged at 5:30. « Just over an hour later, while doing a farewell gesture with his hand to (Massimilian) Strapetti … The pontiff entered a coma, » said the Vatican, ensuring that the Pope did not suffer, since « everything happened very fast. » It was Strapetti that the Pope will have directed his last words, thanking him to encourage him to walk the Square of St. Peter.

At 7:35 am in Rome (except one hour in Lisbon), Francisco died victim of an irreversible stroke and heart stop. At 9:47 am, Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, a camerlengo of the Catholic Church, made the announcement: « Dear brothers and sisters, with great hurt I come to announce the death of our holy Father Francis. » And the world – Catholics or not – cried. But as Francis wrote in February this year, even before being hospitalized, « death is not the end of everything, but a new beginning. »