After a five-week hospitalization, doctors at Rome's Gemelli Hospital stated that Pope Francis will be discharged on Sunday and will require at least two months of convalescence in the Vatican. The 88-year-old Pope was admitted on February 14 with a severe respiratory infection that developed into bilateral pneumonia.
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03-26, 2025Dr. Sergio Alfieri, one of the doctors treating the Pope, revealed that Pope Francis experienced "two very critical situations" in the past five weeks, and his life was once threatened. Dr. Alfieri emphasized that Pope Francis never underwent intubation and remained conscious and clear-headed throughout. Doctors stated that the Pope has not fully recovered, but the pneumonia has cleared, and his condition is currently stable.
Dr. Alfieri told reporters on Saturday: "Today we are happy to announce that he can go home tomorrow." Pope Francis will offer a blessing to the public from the window of Gemelli Hospital on Sunday, his first public appearance since being admitted, after which he will return to his residence in the Vatican.
Dr. Alfieri pointed out that the voice of patients with bilateral pneumonia can be slightly hoarse, "especially in the elderly, it takes time for the voice to return to normal." Reuters reported that Cardinal Victor Fernandez said on Friday that "high-flow oxygen dries everything out," so the Pope "needs to relearn how to speak."
The Vatican previously stated on Friday that the Pope's breathing and mobility had improved. They confirmed that the Pope no longer uses mechanical ventilation at night, but instead receives oxygen through small tubes under his nose. During the day, he is also using less and less high-flow oxygen. If the trend of improvement continues, doctors say the Pope will be able to resume work as soon as possible.
Since his admission, the Pope has only made one public appearance, with the Vatican releasing a photo last week showing him praying in the hospital's chapel. Earlier this month, a recording of Pope Francis speaking in his native Spanish was played in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. His voice was somewhat wheezy as he thanked Catholic believers for their prayers.
Pope Francis has served as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church for nearly 12 years. He has experienced several health problems throughout his life, including the removal of part of his lung at the age of 21, which makes him more susceptible to infections.
