Sergio Alfieri, Pope Francis\u2019 personal surgeon and coordinator of his medical team during hospitalizations, recounted the Pontiff\u2019s final moments with a heavy heart.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cHis eyes were open, he didn\u2019t answer me. There was nothing to be done,\u201d Alfieri\u00a0said<\/a>\u00a0of his last encounter with the Holy Father at dawn on Monday, April 21.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Director of the department of Abdominal and Endocrine Metabolic Medical and Surgical Sciences at the Gemelli hospital, professor Sergio Alfieri speaking to the media on June 7, 2023, at the hospital in Rome, Italy. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Alfieri, head of abdominal oncology surgery at Gemelli Polyclinic, spoke openly for the first time about the\u00a0details and plans<\/a>\u00a0that shaped a relationship \u201cof esteem and affection\u201d with Pope Francis, a bond that began in 2021 when he first operated on the Pontiff.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Despite the gravity of his illness, Pope Francis approached the end of his life with characteristic resolve. The Pontiff returning to work, Alfieri\u00a0explained<\/a>, \u201cwas part of the therapy,\u201d and the Pope never exposed himself to danger.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"Director](\"https:\/\/imgproxy.amomama.com\/sfV0HLh8Vm_n3hERXRQD2vhk9V3MVKkY4R_iZt2R6Ss\/rs:fill:375:0:1\/g:no\/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uYW1vbWFtYS5jb20vMWY4N2QyZWMyMjNmNmM1YWZmNDM2OGExZDBkNDI5ODAxODliZDRmZjc1NjY5MWQxMDYwN2EwOTllM2JjMmY0NS5qcGc_d2lkdGg9NDc2MyZoZWlnaHQ9MzE3NQ.jpg)
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