Pope Francis had some words of gratitude in the final moments before his death. Pope Francis’ expressed heartfelt gratitude for his personal health care assistant during his final moments, the Vatican revealed to the New York Post on Tuesday. The 88-year old pontiff thanked Massimiliano Strappetti, a nurse and caregiver, for taking him on one final ride in the popemobile on Easter Sunday (April 20) during the hours leading up to his death from a stroke and irreversible heart failure.