The final moments of Pope Francis's life were " sad moments because he left us so quickly and we weren't expecting it ." These were the words of Massimiliano Strappetti, Pope Francis's medical assistant, in two interviews, one in Cinque Minuti and the other in Corriere della Sera. He was with him on the morning of April 21 last year when Bergoglio passed away.

"We didn't expect it," he revealed, " he squeezed my hand, looked me in the eyes, and went into a coma . On Easter Sunday, the day before, he was in a bit of pain, but he managed to do everything. He was very happy because I had brought him to the square among the people, which for him was the greatest gift ." For Strappetti, that had been a promise, made to the Pope on February 14th for his last admission to the Gemelli Hospital. When the nurse told him it was time to go to the hospital, he sighed: "This is the last time I'll see Santa Marta, right? " And it was then that the nurse made him the promise: "I'll bring you back here dressed as Pope." And so it was.

"He told me he'd like to go to Ukraine, he wanted to go, " Strappetti also revealed. "He kept himself informed about the war every day." Then he also shared something more intimate about their relationship: "I was divorced, but I told him right away. He asked me if my parish priest would let me take communion. If they don't give it to you, I'll talk to them," he said.

(Unioneonline)

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