A little over a year after the call to God of Pope Francis, which occurred on April 21, 2025, a new testimony sheds light on the end of his pontificate of nearly twelve years. In a book titled Padre, published this April 7 in Italian bookstores, Vatican journalist Salvatore Cernuzio delivers an intimate account of the Argentine pontiff's final moments, marked by the simplicity that had defined his style since his election in March 2013.
The book traces the unique bond that had formed between the Holy Father and the journalist, a relationship born from a letter and an unexpected phone call. Salvatore Cernuzio describes a closeness he characterizes as filial, forged through private meetings at the Domus Sanctae Marthae. These exchanges, far from rigid protocol, revealed a sensitive man, attached to the simple joys of daily life, such as sharing an informal conversation or enjoying an ice cream.
Beyond these personal anecdotes, the author returns to the major concerns that occupied Pope Francis until his last strength. The text highlights his persistent anguish over the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as his constant determination in the fight against abuses of power within the ecclesiastical institution. This moral rigor was accompanied by an austerity of life that he maintained until his final moments.
The narrative culminates with the account of the night of April 21, 2025, at the Domus Sanctae Marthae. According to Salvatore Cernuzio's testimony, Pope Francis displayed one last time the humble courtesy that characterized him. After asking for and drinking a glass of water, he reportedly addressed the nurse at his bedside with these words: "Thank you, excuse me for the disturbance." He passed away peacefully a few moments later.
This testimony on the end of the Jesuit pontiff resonates as his legacy continues to be honored around the world. In Honduras, authorities recently inaugurated a major piece of road infrastructure, the "Pope Francis" overpass, erected in memory of his ministry and his constant attention to the peripheries. These last words, reported today, seal the image of a pastor concerned with the dignity of others, even in the absolute fragility of his final agony.