Pope Francis to Return to Vatican After Lengthy Hospitalization
Pope Francis is set to return to his residence in the Vatican on Sunday following a five-week hospitalization for pneumonia. His doctors determined that his recovery would be best facilitated outside the hospital environment.
The 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church expressed joy upon learning that his health had improved sufficiently for discharge from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, according to Dr. Sergio Alfieri. However, Alfieri emphasized that the pontiff still faces a recovery period of at least two months.
The pope is expected to leave the hospital in the early afternoon and make a brief appearance to bless well-wishers gathered outside before departing for the Vatican. This will mark his first public appearance since February 14. His hospitalization was the longest of his papacy and the fourth since his election in 2013.
The state of his health has fueled speculation regarding a possible resignation, similar to that of his predecessor, Benedict XVI. However, Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin dismissed these rumors, stating that there were no plans for Francis to step down.
During his hospital stay, the pope required assisted breathing, nasal tubes, and an oxygen mask. Doctors revealed that he faced two critical moments when his life was in danger but remained conscious throughout. The Vatican announced that by Wednesday, he was breathing without an oxygen mask.
Dr. Alfieri explained that continued recovery at home was necessary, as hospitals pose a higher risk of infections. He confirmed that the pope would return to Saint Martha’s House, his residence in the Vatican, but cautioned that Francis would not immediately resume his usual schedule. Given the need for rest, questions remain regarding who will lead religious events leading up to Easter.
The pope has missed the Angelus prayers for five consecutive Sundays, a significant departure from tradition. His absence from public duties has led to uncertainty regarding upcoming commitments, including a scheduled April 8 audience with King Charles III and the Vatican’s Holy Week and Easter liturgies.
On March 16, the Vatican released a photo of the pope praying in a chapel within his hospital suite, offering the first visual confirmation of his condition since his hospitalization. Additionally, on March 6, an audio recording was published in which the pope, speaking in a weakened voice, expressed gratitude to those praying for him.
During his brief public appearance on Sunday, the pope was wheeled onto a second-floor hospital balcony, where he acknowledged the crowd with a thumbs-up and a blessing. "I see a lady with yellow flowers," he remarked. "Brava." These were his only words, underscoring his continued struggle with speech due to his respiratory illness.
The assembled crowd, consisting of Romans and international pilgrims, greeted him with cheers of “Viva il Papa!” and “Papa Francesco.” The atmosphere was markedly different from previous weeks when many had gathered outside the hospital to pray, fearing the worst.
Francis, known for his demanding public schedule and engagement with crowds, has been advised by doctors to avoid large gatherings during his recovery. His treatment will continue at Casa Santa Marta, where he will receive supplemental oxygen and physiotherapy.
Despite the pope’s ongoing health challenges, his doctors suggested that he might be able to recover in time to travel to Turkey in late May for a major ecumenical event marking the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.
In a prepared statement for the Angelus address released by the Vatican, Francis reflected on his hospitalization, writing, "In this long time of hospitalization, I have experienced the Lord’s patience. This trusting patience, anchored in God’s love that does not fail, is indeed necessary to our lives, especially in facing the most difficult and painful situations."
He also addressed international concerns, expressing sadness over Israel’s renewed airstrikes on Gaza, which have resulted in the deaths of approximately 600 people in the past week. “I call for an immediate hush of weapons and the courage to resume dialogue,” the pope wrote.
As Francis returns to the Vatican, the coming weeks will determine the pace of his recovery and the extent to which he can resume his duties as the leader of the Catholic Church.
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