Pope Francis’ doctor says pontiff died ‘without suffering, at home’

Just before he could retire, Faik Ajdarović, now 75, fell ill with lung cancer almost twenty years ago. He was a heavy smoker who had worked in a chemical factory for many years. The diagnosis turned his life upside down, and like Pope Francis, who lost part of a lung in his youth, Faik now breathes with only half of his lungs. He had to completely change his habits, but thanks to his perseverance and good will, there was no task he couldn't han…

Deep Dive: Pope Francis has died. What happens next?

In this special deep-dive episode of Inside the Vatican, host Colleen Dulle guides listeners through the rituals, rules, and hidden dynamics that unfold when a pope dies.

The physician and personal surgeon of Pope Francis, Sergio Alfieri, who also leads abdominal oncology surgery at the Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in Rome, shared unpublished details about his link with the Pontiff and his last moments, during an interview with El Mundo de España. Alfieri reported that the last time he saw the Pope was on Saturday before Easter Sunday. He brought him a chocolate cake, his favorite, and they talked during a brief m…

Pope Francis’ final moments revealed

The pontiff’s doctor has spoken about the moment the leader was found breathing but unresponsive.

Sergio Alfieri, head of the abdominal oncological surgery department at the "Gemelli" Polyclinic in Rome, coordinator of the Holy Father's doctors during his hospitalization and his personal surgeon, speaks about the Sovereign Pontiff in the present tense, in an interview...

Sergio Alfieri met the Pope in 2018. Over the years they grew closer and shared secrets. Now, the doctor reveals some conversations and remembers the moment when death was declared.