Pope Francis to be discharged after 38 days in hospital battling severe pneumonia

ROME. Pope Francis is set to be released from the hospital on Sunday after spending 38 days battling a severe case of pneumonia that affected both lungs, threatened his life twice, and raised concerns about a possible papal resignation or funeral.

The 88-year-old pontiff will require at least two months of rest, rehabilitation, and convalescence at the Vatican. During this period, he has been advised against meeting large crowds or engaging in strenuous activities, said Dr. Sergio Alfieri, who led Francis’ medical team at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.

However, Francis’ physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, noted that if the Pope continues his steady recovery, he should eventually be able to resume his usual responsibilities.

The doctors provided their first in-person update in a month during a press conference on Saturday evening at Gemelli Hospital. They stated that Francis was being discharged after two weeks of stable progress in his recovery.

“The Holy Father would have wanted to go home a few days ago, as even he realized he was improving, breathing better, and that he could work longer. But I have to say he was an exemplary patient,” Alfieri said. “He listened to the suggestions from me, Dr. Carbone, and the rest of the team.”

Before leaving the hospital, Francis is expected to offer a blessing to the faithful from his suite, marking his first public appearance since his admission on February 14.

Doctors detailed the severity of the Pope’s illness, noting that not all patients with such a serious case of double pneumonia survive, let alone recover enough to be discharged.

“When he was in really bad shape, it was difficult for him to be in good spirits,” Alfieri admitted. “But one morning, we listened to his lungs and asked how he was doing. When he replied, ‘I’m still alive,’ we knew he was improving and had regained his humor.”

Alfieri confirmed that Francis is still experiencing difficulty speaking due to lung damage and the use of supplemental oxygen and ventilation. However, he reassured that such issues are common and that “his voice will return in time.”

Pope Francis, who has a history of lung disease and had part of one lung removed in his youth, was admitted to Gemelli Hospital after a bout of bronchitis worsened.

Doctors initially diagnosed a complex bacterial, viral, and fungal infection affecting his respiratory tract, which then developed into pneumonia in both lungs. Blood tests also revealed anemia, low platelet levels, and early signs of kidney failure, which later resolved after two blood transfusions.

The Pope suffered his most serious setback on February 28, when he experienced a severe coughing fit and accidentally inhaled vomit, leading to the use of a noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask. Over the next few days, he endured two more respiratory crises, requiring doctors to manually clear his airways of “copious” mucus.

Throughout his hospitalization, Francis remained conscious and cooperative, with doctors emphasizing that “he never lost alertness.”

In the past two weeks, the Pope has shown steady improvements. He no longer requires ventilation at night and has significantly reduced his dependency on high-flow supplemental oxygen. Doctors also noted he may have lost some weight during his stay.

At his Vatican residence in the Santa Marta hotel near St. Peter’s Basilica, Francis will have access to round-the-clock medical care and supplemental oxygen if necessary.

“The Holy Father is improving, and we hope he can soon resume his normal activities,” Dr. Carbone stated.

First Public Appearance Expected Sunday

While his pneumonia has been successfully treated, Francis will continue oral medication for several months to address the lingering fungal infection in his lungs.

Dr. Alfieri remarked that continuing his recovery at the Vatican is actually safer than staying in the hospital, as “hospitals are the worst place for convalescence because they are where patients risk further infections.”

The Vatican has not confirmed the Pope’s upcoming schedule, including a planned audience with King Charles III on April 8 or his participation in Easter services at the end of the month. However, Dr. Carbone expressed optimism that Francis might be well enough to travel to Turkey in late May for a significant ecumenical anniversary.

Before returning to the Vatican, Pope Francis is expected to deliver a blessing from his hospital suite on Sunday morning. While he previously released an audio message on March 6 and a photo on March 16, this will be his first live public appearance since his hospitalization—the longest of his 12-year papacy.