Pope Francis will be officially discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Sunday, as confirmed by the medical team overseeing his care. The 88-year-old pontiff was admitted to the hospital on February 14 due to a diagnosis of double pneumonia. His journey to recovery has been closely monitored, particularly after experiencing two critical episodes where his life was reportedly in jeopardy, according to Dr. Sergio Alfieri, one of the Pope's treating physicians.
Throughout his stay, Pope Francis faced significant health challenges. Despite these episodes, Dr. Alfieri noted that the Pope was never intubated and remained alert and oriented, which points to a resilient spirit. Now, the Pope is in a stable condition and is expected to require at least two months of rest at the Vatican to fully recover. "Today we are happy to say that tomorrow he will be at home," Dr. Alfieri told reporters on Saturday, indicating a positive turning point in the Pope's health journey.
On Friday, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis had shown improvements in both his breathing and mobility. He has successfully transitioned off mechanical ventilation for nighttime breathing support and is currently receiving oxygen through a small tube placed under his nose. During the day, he has been using significantly less high-flow oxygen, further indicating progress in his recovery.
Since his hospitalization, the Pope has made very few public appearances. The only notable moment was a photograph released by the Vatican last week, which depicted him praying in a hospital chapel. Earlier this month, an audio recording of Pope Francis speaking in his native Spanish was played in St. Peter's Square. His voice, though breathless, conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to the Catholic faithful for their prayers and support during this challenging time.
Pope Francis has dedicated nearly 12 years to leading the Roman Catholic Church. Throughout his life, he has faced various health challenges, notably having part of one lung removed at the age of 21. This medical history has made him more susceptible to infections, underscoring the importance of his recent hospitalization.
As he prepares to return to the Vatican, the global community continues to offer prayers and support for Pope Francis, hoping for his swift and complete recovery.
