Pope Francis made his first public appearance in over a month on Saturday, waving from the window of Gemelli Hospital in Rome. The 88-year-old pontiff, who was admitted on February 14 due to a severe lung infection, will be discharged on Sunday, his doctors confirmed.
During his five-week stay, Pope Francis experienced two life-threatening episodes, according to Dr. Sergio Alfieri, one of his lead physicians. However, he was never intubated and remained alert throughout his treatment. Although he is not fully recovered, doctors say he is now stable and no longer suffering from pneumonia.
“Today we are happy to say that tomorrow he will be at home,” Dr. Alfieri told reporters.
Upon his return to the Vatican, the Pope will need at least two months of rest before resuming his full schedule. On Sunday, he is expected to offer a blessing from his hospital window before departing for his residence.
Doctors noted that the Pope’s voice remains weak due to the effects of high-flow oxygen therapy, which has dried out his throat. “Especially in the elderly, it will take time for the voice to return to normal,” Dr. Alfieri said.
Despite ongoing health challenges, Pope Francis has shown signs of improvement. The Vatican reported on Friday that his breathing and mobility had gotten better, and he no longer required mechanical ventilation at night.
Since his hospitalization, the Pope has made only one other public appearance in a Vatican-released photograph, showing him praying in a hospital chapel. Earlier this month, his voice was heard in an audio recording played in St. Peter’s Square, where he thanked the faithful for their prayers.
Pope Francis, who has led the Roman Catholic Church for 12 years, has faced multiple health issues in his lifetime. Having had part of a lung removed at age 21, he remains particularly vulnerable to respiratory infections.
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