Pope Francis died content and grateful after a busy day tending to his beloved flock, the Vatican said Tuesday in an account of the pontiff’s final hours and last words.

“Thank you for bringing me back to the Square,” Francis whispered to Massimiliano Strappetti, his personal health care assistant since 2022, who had encouraged him to make the outing, the Vatican recounted.

Working till the end, Francis had already met briefly with U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Easter morning. But he wasn’t done.

Ailing after a life-threatening bout of double pneumonia, the 88-year-old pontiff wanted to bestow the Apostolic Blessing “and embrace the faithful once more,” the Vatican said. “The late pope wanted to offer one last, meaningful surprise to the 50,000 faithful with a ride in the popemobile on Sunday after the blessing on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica façade.”