Dr. Sergio Alfieri coordinated Francis’ five-week hospital treatment for double pneumonia and continued to oversee the pope’s treatment after his hospitalization.

Pope Francis died quickly on Monday morning from an unexpected stroke without suffering undue pain, and there was nothing that doctors could have done to save his life, the head of the pontiff's medical team said in interviews published on Thursday.

Maps, graphics explain relatively humble funeral for Pope Francis: public viewing, casket and non-traditional burial site

A woman cries during an inter-religious Mass in honor of the late Pope Francis at the Cathedral in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. A woman holds a photo of the late Pope Francis during an inter-religious prayer service in honor of the late pontiff at the Cathedral in Buenos Aires,

Francis never gave an explicit answer for not returning as pontiff to his native country, but some experts say he worried about having his presence used for political purposes.