After over five weeks of hospital treatment, Pope Francis is set to be discharged, although he will require an extended period of rest at the Vatican to ensure complete recovery from his illness.
Pope Francis Set for Hospital Release After Battle with Pneumonia
Pope Francis Set for Hospital Release After Battle with Pneumonia
Pope Francis will leave Rome's Gemelli hospital on Sunday, marking a significant recovery from double pneumonia.
Pope Francis’ health has shown improvement following a prolonged battle with double pneumonia that has kept him hospitalized since February 14. Doctors have announced he will be released from Rome's Gemelli hospital on Sunday. The Vatican confirmed that the 88-year-old pontiff will need at least two months of rest to fully recuperate after his discharge.
His public appearances have been limited during his hospital stay, with only one recent photograph released showing him in prayer. Cardinal Victor Fernandez, one of the doctors overseeing the papal care, mentioned that while the Pope's condition is stable and improving, he may need to "relearn to speak" after a prolonged reliance on high-flow oxygen therapy.
The Vatican has reported advancements in breathing and mobility, noting that the Pope no longer requires mechanical ventilation during sleep but uses supplemental oxygen through a nasal tube instead. In a sign of his gradual recovery, an audio recording of him thanking the faithful was played in St. Peter's Square.
Speculation regarding his potential resignation, following the precedent set by former Pope Benedict XVI, has been dismissed by Cardinal Fernandez. When asked about the Pope's discharge ahead of Easter on April 20, the Cardinal stated that it remains uncertain. Pope Francis has been at the helm of the Catholic Church for nearly 12 years, facing a range of health challenges throughout his life, including a lung surgery at age 21, making him susceptible to respiratory infections.
His public appearances have been limited during his hospital stay, with only one recent photograph released showing him in prayer. Cardinal Victor Fernandez, one of the doctors overseeing the papal care, mentioned that while the Pope's condition is stable and improving, he may need to "relearn to speak" after a prolonged reliance on high-flow oxygen therapy.
The Vatican has reported advancements in breathing and mobility, noting that the Pope no longer requires mechanical ventilation during sleep but uses supplemental oxygen through a nasal tube instead. In a sign of his gradual recovery, an audio recording of him thanking the faithful was played in St. Peter's Square.
Speculation regarding his potential resignation, following the precedent set by former Pope Benedict XVI, has been dismissed by Cardinal Fernandez. When asked about the Pope's discharge ahead of Easter on April 20, the Cardinal stated that it remains uncertain. Pope Francis has been at the helm of the Catholic Church for nearly 12 years, facing a range of health challenges throughout his life, including a lung surgery at age 21, making him susceptible to respiratory infections.
