Pope Francis, 88, will be discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Sunday after a five-week stay, his doctors announced. The pontiff, who was critically ill with double pneumonia, is now stable but requires two months of rest and rehabilitation. Doctors emphasized that while his health is improving, a full recovery will take time, and he must avoid strenuous activities or large gatherings.
On Saturday, the Vatican confirmed that Francis would make his first public appearance since his hospitalization on February 14. He will greet the crowd from the hospital window after the traditional Angelus prayer, marking his first public sighting in over a month. Earlier this week, the Vatican noted that the pope no longer needs an oxygen mask and his condition is steadily improving.
This hospitalization, the longest of his 12-year papacy, has sparked concerns about his ability to lead upcoming Easter events. However, Vatican officials have dismissed speculation about his resignation, with Secretary of State Pietro Parolin firmly stating that stepping down is “absolutely not” an option.
Francis, who has a history of lung issues due to pleurisy and a partial lung removal in his youth, has received widespread support from Catholics worldwide. Well-wishers have left flowers, candles, and notes outside the hospital, praying for his recovery. Plans for a meeting with Britain’s King Charles on April 8 suggest the pope may soon return to his Vatican duties.
