Pope Francis, who has been undergoing treatment for double pneumonia, will be discharged from Rome's Gemelli hospital on Sunday, with a two-month recovery period ahead of him.
Pope Francis Set to Leave Hospital After Battle with Pneumonia
Pope Francis Set to Leave Hospital After Battle with Pneumonia
The 88-year-old pontiff is expected to return to the Vatican for recovery after five weeks in hospital.
Pope Francis is preparing to leave the Gemelli hospital in Rome on Sunday after overcoming a tough five-week fight against double pneumonia, according to medical staff. The 88-year-old leader of the Roman Catholic Church has been recovering successfully and will now transition to a period of rest at the Vatican, where he will require at least two months to regain his strength.
The pontiff has maintained a low public profile during his hospitalization, appearing only once in a photograph released by the Vatican, which depicted him praying in a hospital chapel. On Friday, the Vatican reported improvements in Pope Francis's condition, with his breathing and mobility stabilizing. Cardinal Victor Fernandez, a high-ranking Vatican official, noted that the pope might need to "relearn to speak," possibly due to the prolonged use of high-flow oxygen therapy during his treatment.
Earlier in the month, an audio recording of Pope Francis, expressing gratitude to the Catholic faithful for their prayers, was played in St Peter’s Square, illustrating his determination to connect with his followers despite his health challenges. The Vatican has ruled out speculation regarding the pope’s possible resignation, confirming he remains committed to his responsibilities despite prior health issues, including the removal of part of a lung several decades ago.
As the Catholic community looks forward to Easter, the question of whether Pope Francis will be sufficiently recuperated by then remains uncertain, though officials express hope for his swift recovery.
The pontiff has maintained a low public profile during his hospitalization, appearing only once in a photograph released by the Vatican, which depicted him praying in a hospital chapel. On Friday, the Vatican reported improvements in Pope Francis's condition, with his breathing and mobility stabilizing. Cardinal Victor Fernandez, a high-ranking Vatican official, noted that the pope might need to "relearn to speak," possibly due to the prolonged use of high-flow oxygen therapy during his treatment.
Earlier in the month, an audio recording of Pope Francis, expressing gratitude to the Catholic faithful for their prayers, was played in St Peter’s Square, illustrating his determination to connect with his followers despite his health challenges. The Vatican has ruled out speculation regarding the pope’s possible resignation, confirming he remains committed to his responsibilities despite prior health issues, including the removal of part of a lung several decades ago.
As the Catholic community looks forward to Easter, the question of whether Pope Francis will be sufficiently recuperated by then remains uncertain, though officials express hope for his swift recovery.
