Pope Francis leaves hospital after five weeks

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Pope Francis left the hospital after pneumonia and returned to the Vatican after five weeks. Doctors continue to recommend rest and therapy.

After more than five weeks of hospital treatment, Pope Francis is allowed to return to the Vatican. According to the doctors treating him, the 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church will be discharged from the Gemelli Clinic on Sunday. Francis’ condition has steadily improved recently. He can, therefore, live in his residence in the Vatican again, said the doctor Sergio Alfieri. He will continue to receive medical care there.

Although Francis no longer suffers from bilateral pneumonia, he is not completely cured of the complex infection with several pathogens, explained Alfieri. The doctor spoke of “good news that the whole world has been waiting for.” Together with Doctor Luigi Carbone, he led the medical team at the hospital that treated the Pope.

The doctors treating Francis have now ordered him to rest for two months. Only then will he be allowed to resume his usual working rhythm. In his residence, he will continue to be supplied with oxygen via a tube in his nose, and respiratory and exercise therapy will continue.

The previously used non-invasive mechanical ventilation with a mask on his nose and mouth can now be dispensed with. After his bouts of acute respiratory distress, Francis had to wear this overnight. However, according to the doctors, he was never given artificial respiration, for example, by intubation.

A few hours before the press conference at the clinic, which was arranged at short notice, the Vatican also announced that the Argentinian-born Pope intends to appear in public again for the first time on Sunday. To this end, Francis intends to give his blessing after the traditional Sunday prayers from the clinic. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said that the release would take place after this appearance.

On 14 February, Francis was taken to the clinic northwest of the Italian capital due to severe bronchitis. According to people close to him, he had previously refused to be treated in a hospital. He later developed complicated pneumonia. In the meantime, Francis’ life was in danger, and he suffered several bouts of acute respiratory distress.

Since his admission more than five weeks ago, the Vatican has only published a single photo of the Pope. It shows him from behind in front of an altar in the chapel on the tenth floor of the hospital. Francis also made his presence known in an audio message played a few weeks ago to numerous faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

Therefore, there was great anticipation among the faithful when the Vatican announced that the Pope would be appearing in public again for the first time on Sunday. For the traditional Angelus prayer, Francis wanted to show himself at a clinic window for a greeting and blessing. The surprise at the news of his imminent release from the clinic was accordingly even greater.

The doctors explained that Francis had been hoping for a speedy return to the Vatican for several days. He is considered to be obsessed with work and a difficult patient. Alfieri added that the Pope’s health is currently improving very quickly. If this trend continues, an earlier end to the period of rest is also possible.

Alfieri said that the Pope must now adhere to the doctors’ recommendations. A meeting with the British King Charles is actually planned for the beginning of April. A planned but never confirmed trip by the Pope to Turkey in May is also on the agenda. However, it is unclear what form of official meetings, events, and trips will be possible.

It is also still uncertain whether the Pope will be able to participate in the major Easter celebrations next month. Normally, these are a marathon of events for the pontiff. This year, a particularly large number of pilgrims are in Rome because 2025 is a Holy Year, according to Catholic understanding.