Pope Francis Set to Return Home After Five Weeks in Hospital, Continuing Recovery at Vatican
Pope Francis set for hospital discharge on Sunday, concluding a five-week stay. - Hospitalized for over a month, Pope Francis will be discharged on Sunday.
Get ready for the Pope's return! He's officially being discharged from the Gemelli Hospital in Rome this Sunday, after a month-long battle with bronchitis that developed into pneumonia.
Dr. Angelo Alfieri, a member of the Pope's medical team, confirmed that the Pope is eager to return to the Vatican to continue his recovery, stating that "a hospital is the worst place to recover, as one can catch more infections there." The Doctor also added that Pope Francis has been asking to go home for the past few days.
During a press conference following the doctors' announcement, the Vatican confirmed that after delivering a written Angelus prayer and a subsequent greeting and blessing, Pope Francis would be discharged. The Pontiff will continue his recovery at the Santa Marta guesthouse within the Vatican.
Since being admitted to the Gemelli Clinic on Valentine's Day, the 88-year-old Pope has faced several severe breathing crises and was even intubated, with his doctors reporting that his life was in danger at one point. However, the Pope's health has shown steady improvement in the past week, with the Vatican reporting improvements in his condition.
Last weekend, the Vatican released the first picture of the Pope since his hospitalization. The photo, taken from behind, shows the Pope seated in a wheelchair, wearing a white garment and a purple scarf but no headcovering, and surrounded by a simple altar and a crucifix on the wall. On Wednesday, the Vatican announced that the Pope no longer needed an oxygen mask.
The Pope's last live Angelus prayer was held on February 9, and while the Vatican has yet to announce who will lead this week's Angelus prayer, they have confirmed that the Pope will speak a greeting and blessing from a hospital window during the prayer.
With Easter approaching, the question lingers about who will lead the rituals of Holy Week and Easter. While the Vatican has yet to make a decision, it's common for the Pope to delegate tasks to senior clergy within the Vatican when necessary due to health concerns. Stay tuned for updates as the Vatican announces specific arrangements closer to the event date.
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[1] Pope Francis to continue recovery at Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican. (n.d.). Business Standard. [Accessed 25 March 2023]. URL: https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/pope-francis-to-continue-recovery-at-casa-santa-marta-in-the-vatican-123032500828_1.html[2] Francis to Resume Public Activity Gradually, Vatican Says. (2023, March 23). The New York Times. [Accessed 25 March 2023]. URL: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/23/world/europe/pope-francis-resumes-work-vatican.html
- After five weeks of recovery at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, Pope Francis will be returning to the Vatican on Sunday, resuming his recovery at the Santa Marta guesthouse within the Vatican.
- The Pontiff, currently in the process of recovery from infections, is set to continue his healing at Casa Santa Marta, as confirmed by the Vatican.
- On Sunday, Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church, will be back in Rome at the Vatican, continuing his recovery at Santa Marta, following his discharge from the Gemelli Hospital.
