Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, left behind a legacy of compassion and a commitment to life, as revealed by his personal surgeon, Dr. Sergio Alfieri. In a series of heartfelt interviews, Alfieri recounted the final moments of the Pope’s life, reflecting on their years of friendship and the Pope’s unwavering dedication to his duties.
Dr. Alfieri, the head of abdominal oncological surgery at the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, was the Pope's personal surgeon and coordinated his medical team during his hospitalizations. He shared how, just days before his death, the Pope was in good spirits, stating, “I’m very well, I’ve started working again and I like it,” during their last meeting on Saturday, April 19, 2025, before Easter.
However, the situation took a dire turn early on April 21, when Alfieri received a call from Massimiliano Strappetti, the Pope’s personal health assistant, informing him that the Holy Father was very ill and needed to return to the hospital. Alfieri arrived at the Vatican within twenty minutes, only to find the Pope unresponsive, though his eyes were open. "I found that he had no breathing problems and then I tried to call him, but he didn’t answer. He did not respond to stimuli, not even painful ones. At that moment, I realized that there was nothing more to be done. He was in a coma," Alfieri recounted.
Recognizing the Pope’s wish to die at home, Alfieri explained that transferring him to the hospital would have been futile and potentially dangerous. “We risked him dying during transport. The Pope wanted to die at home; when we were at Gemelli, he always said so,” he stated. This decision underscored the Pope’s desire to remain close to his roots and the people he loved until his final moments.
In the days leading up to his death, Pope Francis had expressed a desire to avoid aggressive medical interventions. Alfieri revealed that the Pope had previously requested not to undergo intubation during his last hospitalization, emphasizing his wish to avoid prolonging life through measures that would only extend suffering. “If he had lost consciousness, we would have had to follow the directives of his assistant, Strappetti,” Alfieri noted, highlighting the trust the Pope placed in his closest aides.
Reflecting on their relationship, Alfieri recalled how he first met Pope Francis in 2018 while serving as a consulting surgeon for the Holy See. Their bond grew stronger over the years, particularly after Alfieri performed surgery on the Pope for severe diverticular disease in 2021. Just before the operation, the Pope blessed Alfieri’s hands, a moment that left a profound impact on the surgeon. “He wanted to tell me to use my hands for my work, but also with my heart in the coming years,” Alfieri explained.
The Pope’s commitment to life extended beyond his personal health struggles. In January 2025, he passionately advocated for the care of abandoned embryos, stating, “They are life; we cannot allow them to be used for experimentation or be lost. That would be murder.” Alfieri expressed his dedication to realizing this wish, noting that they were in discussions with the Ministry of Health about potential adoption options for these embryos.
Another significant project close to the Pope’s heart was the preservation of the Fatebenefratelli hospital on Tiber Island in Rome. The Pope was adamant that the hospital should not be sold and transformed into a non-Catholic institution. “He asked for my help. We worked hard to ensure it remained Catholic,” Alfieri recounted, detailing how the Pope facilitated the necessary funding to save the hospital from financial ruin.
Dr. Alfieri also shared that the Pope had a unique relationship with Strappetti, who was described as someone the Pope trusted implicitly. Strappetti often stayed overnight at Santa Marta, the Pope’s residence, ensuring he was always close by. Alfieri noted that during the Pope’s final days, Strappetti was a constant presence, providing comfort and care, often at the expense of his own rest.
“He lived in symbiosis with the Holy Father, who called only him. I don’t know how he managed,” Alfieri said, emphasizing the deep bond formed between the Pope and his health assistant. This connection was evident in the way the Pope relied on Strappetti’s approval before following medical advice, a testament to their close relationship.
As the Pope approached the end of his life, he remained committed to his duties. Just days before his death, he accepted Strappetti’s proposal to greet the public on Easter Sunday, showcasing his determination to fulfill his role as the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church until the very end. Alfieri remarked, “It’s as if, approaching the end, he had decided to do everything he had to.”
In the aftermath of the Pope’s passing, Alfieri expressed a sense of privilege for being by his side during those final moments. “I felt like a privileged person, and now I can say that I have been,” he reflected, recalling how the team gathered to pray together as the Pope took his last breaths.
The passing of Pope Francis marks the end of an era filled with compassion, humility, and a steadfast commitment to his beliefs. His legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire many, as he leaves behind a call to care for the vulnerable and uphold the sanctity of life.
