Pope Francis’ death: Told to rest, the pope kept working through his hectic last day

VATICAN CITY - As it happened, it was the pope’s last day on Earth.

Pope Francis relished dramatic moments, and this turned out to be his curtain call: an Easter Sunday crowd filling a sunny St. Peter’s Square, eyes on the loggia. And the chant: “Papa, papa!” Pope, pope!

The red curtains parted.

Francis was wheeled to the balcony.

He looked weak, but present. Struggling to raise his right arm, the pope gave what amounted to a final salute to the Catholic world.

“Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter,” he said in a rough voice, breathing heavily.

The faithful applauded and waved and took photos, the moment broadcast around the world, raising hopes that he was getting better.

He was not.

The next morning, the square filled with mourners, trying to process the events of the previous 24 hours. It began with a struggling pope celebrating Easter, and ended with his death early Monday at 88 of a cerebral stroke and cardiovascular collapse.

The Reverend Eric Garris, a priest from Cleveland, had attended the Sunday Mass. Now he gestured to the loggia.

“It’s like what you say about a family member - I just saw him yesterday,” Reverend Garris said.

Francis was hospitalised for more than five weeks in February and March with double pneumonia.

When he was discharged last month, doctors said he still required a two-month convalescence and cautioned that he wouldn’t immediately be able to meet with groups or preside over certain “important commitments.”

Did the pope work himself to death? That might not be the question.

Francis had never been a pope content in isolation. Reverend Garris believed he was living as he preached.

“As a priest, you want to be present with your people,” he said. “I don’t think it was an act of neglect. I think it was an act of a shepherd.”

After returning to the Vatican, Francis tried to stay in the public eye - at least a bit.

Francis met privately with King Charles and Queen Camilla during their visit this month to Rome - an audience that was confirmed only hours before it took place.

Charles, in a message of condolence Monday, said the couple’s sorrow had been “somewhat eased” by the pope being able to share an Easter greeting with the world.

On Thursday - Holy Thursday, in the Catholic calendar - Francis visited a prison in Rome and met with about 70 inmates. In previous years, he washed the feet of the inmates, in emulation of Jesus with his disciples on the eve of his death. This time, the Vatican said, he apologised that he could not. He instead gifted them rosaries and pocket-size Gospels.

Then, on Sunday morning, Francis received Vice President JD Vance briefly at his papal residence. He sat in a wheelchair.

“I know you have not been feeling great, but it’s good to see you in better health,” said Mr Vance, a Catholic convert.

“Thank you for seeing me.”

The Vatican said the two men met for a few minutes at the Domus Santa Marta “to exchange Easter greetings.” Mr Vance’s office provided few details.

It was the pope’s last diplomatic visit.

Mr Vance’s motorcade was on Vatican territory for 17 minutes. The vice president later attended Easter Mass at St. Paul Outside the Walls, one of four pontifical basilicas in Rome. The Vance family also visited the tomb where the apostle St. Paul is said to be buried.

Soon after, Francis was on the loggia, where an archbishop read his full Easter address. In a kind of valedictory, the pope returned to themes he had emphasised throughout his pontificate, with appeals for migrants, the marginalised and those caught in often-forgotten struggles.

He was global to the end: In his final Urbi et Orbi address - a blessing “to the City and the World” - he spoke of conflicts in South Sudan, Yemen, the Horn of Africa, Myanmar, and the South Caucasus.

He offered prayers for Israelis and Palestinians, and beseeched: “May the risen Christ grant Ukraine, devastated by war, his Easter gift of peace, and encourage all parties involved to pursue efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace.”

“Even with his weak condition, he was able to be a voice for the voiceless,” said Reni Meak, a nun from Indonesia.

After Mass, he was driven around the square in his Mercedes popemobile as men in suits speed-walked at the vehicle’s side. Francis offered waves, but with his range of motion seemingly limited, keeping his arm close to his lap.

Near the end of his final tour of the square, several children were lifted toward him. Francis clasped one baby’s hand in blessing. Another infant, he touched on the forehead. Some of the children cried.

The pope waved his palm, a final benediction on a final day of work.

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Booth reported from London.

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