A rose and an image of Pope Francis are placed in the statue of the late Pope John Paul II of the Gemelli Hospital, where Pope Francis is admitted to receive treatment, in Rome, Italy, February 27, 2025.
Yara nardi | Reuters
Pope Francis is scheduled to be discharged from the hospital on Sunday, his doctors at the Gemelli Hospital saying.
Francis, 88, was hospitalized for bronchitis on February 14 and remained under care for more than five weeks. Sometimes, the Pope was in a critical condition and required high flow oxygenia, according to the Vatican, and his changing state of health captivated the attention of the world.
Going to journalists outside the hospital in Rome on Saturday, Pope's doctors recognized that his condition had been “threatening of life” twice, but confirmed that he has remained stable for at least two weeks.
“We have prepared to welcome you home,” said Dr. Luigi Carbone.
His doctors added that he will be under a “high protected”, which will require continuous medications, oxygen assistance as necessary and a rest period “for at least two months.”
“Immediately, you will not be able to continue your work activity to learn about groups of people or important jobs, which you can probably do so once the period of prescribed convalescence has ended and clinical improvements are verified,” said Dr. Sergio Alfieri.
Carbone added: “The Holy Father is improving, so we hope he can continue his normal activity.”
Throughout his illness, the Vatican has maintained that Francis has continued to fulfill his duties. However, he has remained out of the public eye for weeks. In particular, Francis could not attend the celebration of the Jubilee of the Catholic Church, a tradition dedicated to the remission of the sins that occurs every 50 years, also known as Holy Year.
Despite his health battles, the Vatican did not give indications that the Pope would resign, unlike his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, who resigned in 2013 in a movement that caused global outrage.
The Vatican said in an early statement on Saturday that the Pope will greet a multitude of collectors outside the hospital on Sunday, marking his first public appearance since his treatment began.
Francis's hospitalization in recent weeks was not the first time he fights serious ailments. In 2021, he underwent surgery due to gastrointestinal disease called diverticulitis, and again in 2023 by a hernia.
In the weeks before his hospitalization, the Pope was seen with a sling around his arm, which, according to the Vatican, was necessary after the Pope suffered a fall.
Francis has been the leader of the more than one billion members of the Catholic Church since 2013.
