Vatican City - Since the beginning of his severe pneumonia and subsequent hospitalization, hardly anyone has been as close to the Pope as his personal nurse.

Massimiliano Strappetti spent all 38 days at the side of Pope Francis (†88) in hospital, he encouraged him to stand in front of the crowd one last time on Easter Sunday and once he is even said to have saved the life of the head of the church.

It was Strappetti who advised the Pope to have bowel surgery almost four years ago, the Vatican's own magazine"Vatican News" reported on Tuesday. A medical procedure that was to avert upsetting news for the Catholic Church in 2021.

Shortly before his death, the pontiff thanked his personal nurse several times for his efforts. "Thank you for bringing me back to the square," he said to Strappetti after speaking to around 35,000 faithful from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.

Following his Easter message, the Argentinian-born Pope took one last spin in his "Papa-mobile", then rested a little and enjoyed a heavenly meal for the last time in the evening. The report refers to a "quiet dinner". At dawn, around 5.30 a.m., his health suddenly took a turn for the worse.

Before the 88-year-old fell into a coma shortly afterwards, he made a "farewell gesture" towards Strappetti with his hand. A final thank you for his faithful companion. According to the Vatican report, Pope Francis did not suffer in his last breaths.