Daijiworld Media Network - Rome

Rome, Mar 23: After spending over five weeks in a Rome hospital for treatment of respiratory issues and pneumonia, Pope Francis was discharged on Sunday. The 88-year-old pontiff, who will need at least two months of rest to fully recover, made his first public appearance since being hospitalized on February 14 by briefly appearing at a hospital window to bless the gathered faithful.

Doctors confirmed that while the Pope has made significant improvements, he is not yet fully healed. Dr. Sergio Alfieri, head of the medical team at the Gemelli Hospital, shared that the Pope had experienced two critical episodes during his hospitalization where his life was at risk. Despite this, he was never intubated and remained alert throughout the treatment process.

Though Pope Francis no longer has pneumonia and is now stable, his recovery is ongoing, particularly regarding his voice, which has been affected by the bilateral pneumonia. Dr. Alfieri explained that the Pope’s voice will require time to return to normal, especially considering his age.

The Pope has been advised to rest for at least two months at the Vatican, where he will receive continued medical care. During this period, he is expected to gradually resume his normal activities, but not immediately return to public engagements.

Throughout his hospital stay, Pope Francis remained in touch with ongoing events, both within the church and in the political sphere, and continued to engage with work despite his health challenges. Dr. Alfieri highlighted the Pope’s cooperation with medical staff, calling him a "good" patient who diligently followed medical advice.

The pontiff is expected to recover more comfortably at home, with doctors agreeing that home rest is crucial for his healing process.