Pope Francis had open eyes and was breathing normally when Sergio Alfieri arrived at the Vatican early on Monday morning. But the doctor quickly understood that the situation was very serious.
I tried to talk to him, but he didn't answer, says Alfieri to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.
The Pope didn't respond to stimuli, the doctor explains – "not even painful ones".
In that moment, I understood that there was nothing more to do. He was in a coma.
The medical team chose not to transport Francis to the hospital. They knew that his wish was to die at home, says Alfieri in the interview. Shortly afterwards, the Pope took his last breath.
I felt privileged to be there. I gave him a caress as a final farewell.
Now, Pope Francis lies in an open coffin in St. Peter's Basilica. Since the coffin was brought there on Wednesday, over 60,000 people have already said goodbye to the Pope, writes the Italian La Repubblica on Thursday afternoon.
Last night, the queues were so long across St. Peter's Square that the church stayed open until half past 6 in the morning – to then reopen at 7 o'clock.
The Pope will lie in state until Friday at 8 pm. Then, the funeral ceremony will begin in the Vatican on Saturday at 10 am.
According to the Vatican, representatives from 130 countries have so far announced their participation in the funeral, including 50 heads of state and ten monarchs.
At his own request, Pope Francis will then be laid to rest in the Roman church Santa Maria Maggiore. His grave can be visited from Sunday morning, according to the Vatican.
