‘It all happened very fast’: Pope’s last moments revealed as Vatican prepares for his funeral

He had spent over a month in hospital earlier this year, but when Pope Francis returned to the Vatican almost a month ago, he seemed to be recovering.

However, doctors had told him to take two months’ rest and allow his ageing body to heal but Pope Francis defied their advice and spent his last days working.

It was too much for Francis who quickly succumbed to his physical ailments after showing the first signs of a “sudden illness” early the next morning. A few hours later, the Vatican’s news outlet reported his death.

“He did not suffer, and it all happened very fast,” the outlet reported.

Just hours before, around 35,000 Catholic faithful had lined the aisles inside St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday as the pope made his tour, seated in a raised chair in the back of the popemobile.

According to the Vatican’s outlet, he spent the rest of that Sunday as per usual. He had a “peaceful dinner,” but later showed the first signs of a “sudden illness” around 5.30am on Monday.

Among the pontiff’s final words was a thank you to his nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, who had helped the pope surprise crowds in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday.

“A little more than an hour later, making a farewell gesture with his hand to Strappetti … the pontiff went into a coma,” the outlet said.

He passed away at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest.

The pontiff’s funeral will take place on Saturday at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, the Vatican also announced on Tuesday, as the Church prepares to lay him to rest and start the process of deciding on a new pontiff.

A large church service in the Vatican will precede the burial at a relatively plain, Saint Mary Major unlike previous popes who were laid to rest at the grand St Peter’s Basilica. In the coming weeks the Church will hold a conclave, or a closed meeting of cardinals, at the Vatican in order to decide on who will be Francis’ successor.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, Francis faced health challenges early in life that deeply shaped his faith. He joined the Jesuits in 1958 and became a priest in 1969. Known for his simple lifestyle and deep connection to everyday people, he served as Archbishop of Buenos Aires from 1998 and was made a cardinal in 2001. Even then, he avoided luxury—taking public transportation, living in a small apartment, and cooking his own meals.

During his time as Pope, he worked to reform the Catholic Church from the inside. He pushed for more transparency in Vatican finances, made strong efforts to address sexual abuse scandals, and called for justice for survivors. He also opened up conversations on topics like the role of women in the Church and showed a more welcoming tone toward LGBTQ+ individuals, moves that drew both praise and criticism.

-with DPA and Reuters.