Pope Francis’s Final Moments: His Surgeon Speaks Out

Dr. Sergio Alfieri, Pope Francis’s personal surgeon, shared emotional details about the pontiff’s final hours. On April 21, 2025, the Pope passed away peacefully at home, as he had wished, rather than being taken to the hospital.

Alfieri said Francis was unresponsive but breathing normally when he arrived at Casa Santa Marta. Despite open eyes, he didn’t respond to stimuli and was in a coma. Alfieri explained that transporting him would’ve risked death during the trip and would not have improved his condition.

Just days earlier, Francis was in good spirits and had planned to meet hospital staff to thank them. He even made a final public appearance on Easter Sunday, blessing crowds from his popemobile. He refused mechanical life support and chose to die naturally.

In his final days, Francis expressed deep concern for the ethical treatment of human embryos, calling for them to be protected, not used in experiments.

Now, tens of thousands are paying their respects at St. Peter’s Basilica, where his body lies in an open casket. World leaders are expected at his funeral on April 26. As per his request, Pope Francis will be buried at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.