Pope Francis's death on Monday, following a long hospitalization for pneumonia, came as both a shock and a poignant closure to his unpredictable papacy. After being discharged from the hospital, he struggled with health issues but made several unexpected public appearances. These gestures, including a wheelchair visit to St. Peter's Basilica and a meeting with inmates, seemed to indicate farewell moments to his followers. His physician had urged him to rest and recover after a serious health scare, yet some believed the Pope returned home under medical advice to die, adding to the poignancy of his final days.
During his 38-day hospitalization in February and March, he twice nearly died in respiratory crises. His doctor had urged the pope to take it easy and not waste a recovery that was no less than a miracle.
In keeping with a pontiff who made unpredictability a hallmark of his dozen-year papacy, the death of Francis seemed both abrupt and expected.
Contrary to his doctors' orders to stay isolated in his Vatican residence, Francis recently started making unexpected appearances that look like farewell gestures.
On Saturday, his aides brought him into St. Peter's Basilica in a wheelchair, where he stunned pilgrims and tourists and prayed in front of the main altar.
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