Pope Francis' final words revealed as more details over his death emerge

The Vatican has released further details on the final moments of Pope Francis, including some of his final words following his last public appearance.

The pope died in the early hours of 21 April, with a statement from the Vatican saying: "At 7.35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father."

Earlier this year, the 88-year-old had been admitted to hospital with pneumonia and had struggled with acute respiratory failure, and was discharged from hospital back to the Vatican on 23 March.

His health struggles continued, and while he made a public appearance on Easter Sunday (20 April), it was to be his last as he died the following day.

Vatican News has confirmed that among Pope Francis' final words were an expression of gratitude towards his nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, who had spent three years as his personal healthcare assistant.

On the day before he died, Pope Francis visited St Peter's Square in the Popemobile (TIZIANA FABI/AFP via Getty Images)

The pope had asked Strappetti 'Do you think I can manage it?' of his chances of participating in the Easter Sunday events by taking a ride in the Popemobile, and had been reassured that he was up to it.

Having made the journey to St Peter's Square, Pope Francis met and embraced crowds of people on what would end up being the last full day of his life.

After he returned, Vatican News said that he told Strappetti: "Thank you for bringing me back to the Square."

They explained that afterwards he rested and had dinner, and then at 5:30am the following day (21 April), the first signs of a sudden illness came on, and about an hour later he used his hand to make a farewell gesture to his nurse before falling into a coma from which he did not wake.

The nurse had been appointed as the personal healthcare assistant to Pope Francis after suggesting he needed colon surgery, a recommendation which the late pope credited with saving his life.

"Thank you for bringing me back to the square," he told his nurse (ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP via Getty Images)

A funeral date of Saturday, 26 April, has been set for the late pope in accordance with tradition that funerals take place between four and six days after their death.

A period of mourning is also traditional, and will take several days.

Following the burial of Pope Francis it will be time to select a new pope, and a conclave of 120 cardinals will gather to decide who ought to be the chosen candidate.

There is much ceremony around the choosing of a new pope, which is traditionally signalled by the release of white smoke before the new guy picks up where Pope Francis left off, or chooses to change tack from the more progressive course the late pope had charted.