By Okhueleigbe Osemhantie Amos
The last words of a man are often considered sacred. They echo his ultimate beliefs, his deepest yearnings, and the summation of a lifetime of conviction. But when the man is not just a man, but a Pope—the Vicar of Christ, the Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church—his final utterances transcend personal sentiment. They become windows into divine intimacy, mirrors of apostolic mission, and whispers of eternal hope. The last words of Popes are not merely historical data; they are spiritual relics.
This article explores the final words of some of the Roman Pontiffs—saintly, scholarly, controversial, and courageous—whose last breaths continue to inspire, instruct, and invite the faithful into deeper contemplation.
1. Pope St. Peter (d. ca. 64 AD): “I am not worthy…”
Tradition holds that Peter, the first Pope, requested to be crucified upside down, declaring himself unworthy to die in the same manner as his Lord. Though no verbatim last words were recorded, this act of inverted martyrdom is itself a profound homily. It was not a cry of despair, but of sacred humility. His whole pontificate, from denial to bold preaching, culminated in a final act of surrender.
Pope St. Leo the Great (d. 461): “Lord, I have loved the beauty of Your house…”
Though uncertain, various medieval sources suggest Pope Leo may have died with Psalm 26:8 on his lips: “Domine, dilexi decorem domus tuae”—“Lord, I have loved the beauty of Your house.” This line summarizes the spirit of a Pope who defended Christ’s divinity and elevated the dignity of the Church through his sermons, writings, and diplomacy.
Pope St. Gregory the Great (d. 604): “Into Your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.”
Echoing Christ Himself, St. Gregory is reported to have breathed his last with Psalm 31:5. A man of administrative genius and contemplative longing, Gregory lived on the precipice between active duty and monastic quietude. His death was consistent with his life—entrusting all into God’s hands.
Pope Pius IX (d. 1878): “Guard the Church I have so loved.”
Known for proclaiming the dogma of the Immaculate Conception and convening Vatican I, Pope Pius IX died after the longest papal reign in history. In his final moments, he is said to have invoked Mary and entrusted the Church to divine protection. His final gaze, according to one cardinal, was fixed on the crucifix and the statue of the Virgin.
Pope Leo XIII (d. 1903): “Let me go to the house of the Father.”
Leo XIII, who opened the Church more fully to modern social issues with Rerum Novarum, met death peacefully. His last words echo John 14:2, indicating his serene confidence in Christ’s promise. He had written of eternity; now he entered it.
Pope Pius X (d. 1914): “I resign myself completely.”
As World War I broke out, the saintly Pius X is said to have died of a broken heart, his soul crushed by the suffering of humanity. His final words reflect deep resignation to God’s will—a virtue he had encouraged throughout his pontificate.
Pope Benedict XV (d. 1922): “May Christ accept my soul.”
Benedict XV, who tirelessly worked for peace during World War I, whispered a simple prayer of acceptance. It was not a speech, but a supplication. A diplomat Pope died with the humility of a monk, seeking only to be accepted by Christ.
Pope Pius XII (d. 1958): “Pray for me. Pray for me.”
One of the most intellectually formidable Popes of the 20th century, Pius XII died in Castel Gandolfo. His last plea was for prayers. Even in death, he was the professor of prayer, asking others to offer for him what he had spent a lifetime teaching.
Pope St. John XXIII (d. 1963): “My bags are packed. I’m ready to go.”
This beloved “Good Pope John,” who convened Vatican II, faced death with disarming simplicity and childlike joy. His metaphor of readiness is poignant. The pilgrimage of life was complete. Eternity was at the door.
Pope Paul VI (d. 1978): “O Mary, Mother of Jesus…”
Paul VI, who saw Vatican II through to completion and authored Humanae Vitae, died while praying the Rosary. His final words—invoking Mary—are a Marian echo of his lifelong devotion. He died as he lived: in the arms of the Church’s Mother.
Pope John Paul I (d. 1978): Unknown, but possibly prayerful
John Paul I reigned for only 33 days, and he died unexpectedly in the night. No official record of his last words exists. Yet, the serenity of his final hours—reportedly reading spiritual material and Scripture—suggests a man who died in peace, prepared and trusting.
Pope St. John Paul II (d. 2005): “Let me go to the house of the Father.”
These words were whispered in Polish by one of the most consequential Popes in modern history. After leading the Church for 26 years, surviving an assassination attempt, and evangelizing to the ends of the earth, he offered his final surrender. The shepherd’s voice trembled, but the faith was unwavering.
Pope Benedict XVI (d. 2022): “Jesus, I love you.”
Benedict XVI, a theologian of rare brilliance and a Pope of serene humility, died in retirement. His last words, spoken in German, were: “Jesus, ich liebe dich.” This is not theology from a textbook; it is theology distilled into love. A heart steeped in orthodoxy ended with intimacy.
Conclusion: The Silence Beyond the Words
The final words of Popes are not frozen moments of history; they are living testimonies. They show Popes not as kings or bureaucrats, but as lovers of Christ, wounded shepherds, and dying saints. They whispered of Mary, sighed for peace, yearned for heaven, and clung to Christ.
To meditate on their last words is to remember that even the Rock has a soul, and that at the hour of death, all theology melts into one word: Love. I doubt if I have written as much as you would love to read. A good life makes a good death, what do you think will be your last words?
