Maria College awards honorary degree to Pope Francis’ lead nurse

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) —In early 2025, the Pope Francis was hospitalized with pneumonia and was facing four life-threatening breathing crises. On Feb. 28, doctors had to decide whether to stop treatment or continue with risky, aggressive care. 

It was Massimiliano Strappetti, who was the lead of the medical team and longtime personal nurse to Pope Francis that said to “try everything, don’t give up.” It was that advocacy that stood out to Maria College.

“Maria College is founded by the Sisters of Mercy, and they're really known for excellence in health care and excellence in education and serving the underserved. I think that Mr. Strappetti really, for my opinion, really embodies the mercy mission in his work and his care and compassion,” said Dr.Lynn Ortale, President of Maria College.

Dr.Ortale reached out to Strappetti with a personal letter, inviting him to accept an honorary degree from Maria College and he agreed. It was also approved by Pope Leo. By coincidence, Dr. Ortale was later invited to Rome for a gathering of women Catholic college presidents, giving her the rare chance to present the degree to him in person. 

Through a translator, Strappetti said when getting to accept the award, “I’m very proud to have received this honor, especially from such an important school — one that feels very close to me and to everyone who dedicates themselves to caring for others. I accept this recognition not just for myself, but for all nurses who work tirelessly in hospitals and beyond,” said Strappetti.

“We learned at dinner that evening with him that he was offered several opportunities from institutions all across the globe and it was Dr. Ortale’s outreach and the letter, the heartfelt warm letter that she sent to Mr. Strappetti that he accepted,” said Vicki DiLorenzo, Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Maria College.

Pope Francis lived almost two months longer after Strappetti urged to keep treatment going. His wife Barabra told Dr.Ortale what Pope Franics said to her before he passed.

“He wanted to thank her for the time and to apologize for the time that he took away from her, for her husband to be with her because he needed him,” said Dr.Ortale.

This decision to keep fighting for Pope Francis' life has reminded nurses everywhere and especially at Maria College that compassion and advocacy is just as important as clinical skill.