Pope Francis is set to be discharged from the hospital this Sunday after spending 38 days battling a severe case of pneumonia in both lungs. According to the Gemelli medical director, Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the Pope will need at least two months of rest and rehabilitation as he continues his recovery at the Vatican.
The Pope was admitted to Gemelli hospital on February 14 when a bout of bronchitis escalated into pneumonia. On Saturday, for the first time in a month, doctors provided an update on his condition, indicating he has made significant progress in his fight against double pneumonia.
This briefing was the first since February 21, following a week when the 88-year-old Pope faced critical health challenges, including several respiratory crises. Thankfully, his condition has now stabilized.
In a positive sign, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis will address the faithful with a blessing from his hospital suite on Sunday morning. This event marks his first live appearance since being hospitalized, making it a notable moment during what has been the longest hospitalization of his papacy.
Pope Francis, who has a history of chronic lung issues and underwent lung surgery in his youth, was admitted after his bronchitis worsened. Doctors initially identified a complex infection affecting his respiratory system, which eventually led to pneumonia. During his stay, tests revealed he had anemia, low blood platelets, and some signs of kidney failure, all of which improved after treatment.
His health faced serious turns beginning on February 28, when he experienced a severe coughing fit leading to complications that required him to use a noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask for breathing support. Despite these challenges, he remained alert and engaged with his medical team. In recent weeks, however, he has shown improvement, no longer needing the ventilation mask at night and reducing his use of supplemental oxygen during the day.
This encouraging news comes as the Pope looks forward to returning to his duties and reconnecting with the faithful upon his recovery.
