The Vatican has revealed that in his final words, Pope Francis praised his healthcare assistant for helping him visit with worshippers in St. Peter’s Square before his death on Easter Monday at 88.

A statement from the Vatican’s press office said that the Argentine pope was nervous about boarding the popemobile so that he could ride among the crowd of thousands who had gathered on Easter Sunday outside Saint Peter's Basilica.

Pope Francis said to his loyal healthcare assistant Massimiliano Strappett, “Do you think I can manage it?”

After the successful outing, he told Strappetti, "Thank you for bringing me back to the Square.”

Pope Francis then rested, had a quiet dinner, and in the morning hours on Monday, he passed away.

Among Pope Francis' last words were "thank you" to his personal nurse, for encouraging him to greet crowds in St. Peter's Square one last time. https://t.co/YxPPipwDD8

— CBS News (@CBSNews) April 22, 2025

Elected to the papacy in 2013, the Argentinian pope, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away following an extended illness.

"He did not suffer. It all happened quickly," Vatican News said. "It was a discreet death, almost sudden, without long suffering or public alarm, for a pope who had always been very reserved about his health."

The official cause of death has been listed as a cerebral stroke, coma, and subsequent irreversible heart failure.

Following news of the pontiff’s death, celebrities, members of the royal family, and world leaders took time to praise Pope Francis as an incredible leader of the Catholic Church, as previously reported.

READ MORE: Pope Francis Cause of Death Announced: Cerebral Stroke, Heart Attack

Celebrities, Royals, and World Leaders React to Death of Pope Francis

President Donald Trump wrote on social media, “Rest in peace Pope Francis! May God bless him and all who loved him!”

"He was a good man, worked hard. He loved the world, and it's an honor to do that," Trump added during his appearance at the Easter Egg Roll event at the White House. 

The president later revealed that he and First Lady Melania Trump will travel to Italy for the pope’s funeral services being held on Saturday.

Vice President JD Vance, who met with the pontiff on Sunday while he was in Rome, wrote, “I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him."

“I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill,” he added. “But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his soul.”