Surgeon who treated Pope Francis in his final moments has shared insights into the pontiff’s last days.
Gatekeepers News reports that Sergio Alfieri, who performed two operations on the Pope in 2021 and 2023, revealed that Francis did not respond to stimuli as he lay in a coma before his death.
Alfieri said that Francis seemed “very well” just days before his passing and was determined to carry out his papal duties. The surgeon fulfilled one of the Pope’s final wishes by allowing him to die at home rather than in the hospital.
“When I visited him at Santa Marta, his eyes were open, and he had no breathing problems, but he didn’t respond to any stimuli, not even painful ones,” Alfieri said. “At that moment, I understood that there was nothing more to be done.”
The Pope had expressed his desire to die at home, and Alfieri respected his wish. Francis passed away at 7:35 am local time, surrounded by his nurses and staff.
In his final days, Francis told doctors he didn’t want artificial respiration, which could have prolonged his life by a few days. Alfieri said the Pope’s condition deteriorated rapidly, and he died without suffering.
The surgeon also revealed that Francis had expressed a desire to “take care of the abandoned embryos” before his death, and Alfieri plans to raise the issue with Italian Minister of Health Orazio Schillaci.
Body of Pope Francis was carried to St. Peter’s Basilica in an open casket on Wednesday, allowing the Catholic faithful to pay their respects.
. The public mourning period will end at 7 pm on Friday, and Francis’ funeral is scheduled to be held on Saturday at 10 am in St. Peter’s Square.
