His inability to perform the ritual became his final expressed regret. “This time, I couldn’t do it,” he told Dr. Alfieri, who said those were his last words.
Francis spent Easter Sunday meeting U.S. Vice President JD Vance and delivering a message to thousands from St. Peter’s Basilica. He passed away the next day, having remained active and faithful to his role until the end. “He didn’t let us down,” Dr. Alfieri said.