As the world grieves, the Pope’s closest associates have revealed the truth about his last hours, including his heartfelt farewell gesture and the words he decided to leave behind.

Pope Francis thanked the person who had encouraged him during his sickness with a simple hand gesture in his passing moments. It was a brief but affecting farewell.

Moments earlier, he had said nine touching words, his last known sentence — “Thank you for bringing me back to the Square.” Those words were directed to Massimiliano Strappetti, the nurse who had become a main figure in the Pope’s final years.

The man who once suggested colon surgery to save the Pope’s life was Strappetti, who was more than just a caregiver. In 2022, he was named Pope Francis’ personal healthcare assistant for his abiding commitment.

Strappetti was by the Pope’s side during his last hospital stay in Gemelli Hospital in Rome and afterwards at Casa Santa Marta, where he kept uninterrupted watch.

Pope Francis had planned to ride in the popemobile following the blessing in order to sh0ck the 50,000 worshippers assembled in the square. But he paused and said, “Do you think I can manage it?” to seek counsel his assistant.

He did. On Sunday, he went back to the square, welcoming the people there and giving the kids extra attention. It was the last voyage he would take in a popemobile and the first after he was discharged from the hospital.

Tired yet content, he turned to Strappetti and said, “Thank you for bringing me back to the Square.” In that moment, he shared the depth of his desire to be close to the people, a principle that had determined his papacy from the start.