After 38 days in Gemelli Hospital in Rome, Pope Francis was discharged and returned to his residence in the Vatican, the Casa Santa Marta. He will now begin a two-month period of rest during which he will continue to receive drug and respiratory therapy.
Before leaving the hospital, the Pope greeted the faithful from the fifth floor window and thanked them for their gestures of closeness, noting one in particular:
“Thank you all and I see that lady with yellow flowers, well done.”
After giving his blessing, he was released from the hospital.
The Vatican published his Sunday Angelus, where the Pope said that during his time in the hospital, he experienced the “patience of God that is necessary to face the most difficult and painful situations.”
On his way back to the Vatican, the Holy Father stopped briefly at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where he delivered flowers to be placed before the icon of the Salus populi Romani. Pope Francis has regularly visited the basilica before and after each papal trip.
On Saturday afternoon, the Holy See Press Office announced a last-minute press conference for journalists. They confirmed that, after almost six weeks of hospitalization, the pope would be released from the hospital, where his life had been at risk on more than one occasion.
Dr. Sergio Alfieri explained:
“During his hospitalization, the Holy Father’s clinical conditions presented two very critical episodes in which the Holy Father’s life was in danger. The pharmacological therapy, the administration of high flow oxygen and assisted mechanical ventilation recorded a slow but progressive improvement bringing the Holy Father out of the most critical episodes.”
The doctors clarified that during his stay at the hospital, Pope Francis was “never intubated and remained conscious.” The pontiff was discharged in stable clinical condition but he will need to continue his pharmacological treatment and is expected to rest for at least two months. Doctors advise against him receiving visitors or being exposed to groups of people.
The medical team explained that the Pontiff’s lungs and respiratory muscles have been damaged, so “it will take time for his voice to return to normal.” They clarified that the serious infections are gone but that some bacteria remain.
When journalists asked about the pope’s participation in the liturgies during Holy Week, the head of the Holy See Press Office clarified that it will be decided according to the improvement shown during this period of recovery. He explained that the pope was very happy with the news of his return home.
Adapted by Jacob Stein
