Pope Francis discharged from hospital after severe pneumonia and makes first public appearance
Pope Francis left a Rome hospital after five weeks of treatment and thanked the gathered crowd, making his first public appearance since mid-February.
Photo: Long Thiên, CC BY-SA 2.0
Pope Francis was discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital, where he spent five weeks receiving treatment for severe pneumonia.
The 88-year-old pontiff had been admitted with an acute respiratory infection, which became the most serious health crisis of his 12-year papacy.
Before leaving, Francis appeared on the hospital balcony in a wheelchair.
His condition is steadily improving, and he will return to the Domus Sanctae Marthae. The hospitalization began on February 14, during which the Pope endured two serious episodes but avoided intubation.
Doctors used oxygen therapy and non-invasive lung ventilation. The pontiff remained conscious, stayed informed, and continued his work.
Full recovery will take two months, during which he is advised to rest and limit meetings, Dr. Alfieri stated during a press briefing.
Prior to this, the pontiff had appeared publicly only once—via a photo taken in the hospital chapel. The car carrying the Pope left the hospital around noon, escorted by police.
As a reminder, 88-year-old Pope Francis was admitted on February 14 with bronchitis, which later developed into a polymicrobial respiratory infection.
On Monday, his condition worsened, prompting doctors to adjust the treatment due to the complex clinical situation. Nevertheless, the pontiff remains stable, fever-free, in good spirits, and continues therapy at Gemelli Hospital.
He had previously been treated there for bronchitis in 2023. Due to weakness and the prescribed rest, he was unable to lead the Sunday prayer.
The Pope has had lung issues since his youth—one lobe was removed following a serious illness at age 21.