Dr. Alfieri informed the Milan daily that Cardinal Pietro Parolin and the papal household staff arrived and recited the rosary over the body.
The doctor said, “I gave him a caress, as a farewell.”
After becoming ill, the pope managed to say goodbye to Mr. Strappetti, according to Vatican News, and those who were with him at the time stated he did not seem to suffer.
On Saturday, April 26, Francis will be laid to rest in a state funeral that will be televised worldwide.
In contrast to previous popes, Pope Francis has asked that his tombstone not reference his twelve years as head of the Catholic Church.
