ROME — Pope Francis is set to be discharged from the hospital on Sunday after a grueling 38-day battle with severe pneumonia affecting both of his lungs. This health scare had cast doubts on the pontiff’s ability to continue his papacy but those concerns have now been put to rest.
The 88-year-old spiritual leader will need a period of at least two months for rest and recovery once back at the Vatican. Reports indicate that he has been advised to refrain from large gatherings and avoid any strenuous activity during this healing phase, explained Dr. Sergio Alfieri, who managed the medical team treating the pope at Gemelli hospital in Rome.
However, Dr. Luigi Carbone, Pope Francis’ personal physician, expressed optimism about the pope’s recovery trajectory. He noted that with continued improvement and rehabilitation, there is potential for the pontiff to fully return to his usual routines.
These updates were disclosed during a press conference convened quickly at the hospital lobby on Saturday night, marking the first live briefing regarding the pope’s health since his mid-February admission. The doctors announced that Francis would be discharged since he has shown two weeks of stability along with considerable progress in his health.
“His Holiness was eager to leave the hospital some days ago, recognizing his own improvement in breathing and ability to work for longer periods. However, he showed exemplary patience and cooperation, respecting the medical advisement from Dr. Carbone, myself, and our team,” said Alfieri.
Upon his release on Sunday, it is expected that Pope Francis will offer a blessing to the public from the hospital before returning to the Vatican. This will be the first time that he will make a public appearance since his hospitalization began on February 14. Doctors elaborated on the gravity of his condition, affirming that such a severe form of bilateral pneumonia is rare and often has fatal outcomes.
Alfieri recounted moments of significant concern for the pontiff’s health, but also pointed to a pivotal moment: “One morning, during a check, when asked about his condition, he humorously replied, ‘I’m still alive.’ That was a sign to us that he was regaining not just health but also his spirits.”
Even though Pope Francis faces challenges speaking due to the lung damage and the extended use of oxygen therapy, Alfieri shared that these issues are typical and expected to resolve over time.
Pope Francis, who has lived with chronic lung issues since part of his lung was removed during his youth in Argentina, initially faced complications from a bronchitis infection that escalated. The medical team identified a complex respiratory infection that also indicated potential systemic concerns such as anemia. These were addressed effectively following a course of treatment including blood transfusions.
Significant breathing distress followed by respiratory crises required non-invasive ventilation techniques for the pope, who did not lose consciousness and remained engaged throughout his treatment. Improvements over recent weeks mean he no longer uses night-time ventilation and has reduced dependency on supplemental oxygen.
While the most critical phase of his lung infection has passed, ongoing medication will be necessary to treat a concurrent fungal infection. Dr. Carbone remarked on the advantages of continuing care at the Vatican rather than the infection-prone environment of a hospital setting.
Plans concerning upcoming events and engagements remain tentative. Although the Vatican hasn’t confirmed future appearances, there is optimism that Pope Francis might partake in a planned trip to Turkey in late May for a significant ecclesiastical event.
This Sunday, before departing the hospital, the Vatican has announced that Pope Francis will offer a public blessing from his hospital suite, marking his first appearance since the hospitalization, aside from a previous audio message and photo release.
The prolonged hospital stay for Pope Francis — the longest during his 12-year tenure as the head of the Roman Catholic Church — has highlighted the resilience and recovery under challenging health circumstances.