After 38 days battling a severe case of pneumonia in both lungs, Pope Francis is set to leave Gemelli Hospital in Italy on Sunday, doctors have confirmed.
Dr Sergio Alfieri, the hospital’s medical director, said the 88-year-old pope will need at least two months of rest and rehabilitation as he continues his recovery at the Vatican.
Francis was admitted to Gemelli on February 14 after his bronchitis worsened, later developing into a life-threatening respiratory infection. Doctors initially diagnosed a complex bacterial, viral, and fungal infection, which led to pneumonia. His condition became critical, with respiratory crises requiring intensive medical intervention, including the use of a noninvasive ventilation mask and two blood transfusions.
A serious setback came on February 28, when Francis suffered an acute coughing fit and inhaled vomit, further complicating his breathing. He experienced two more respiratory crises in the following days, requiring doctors to manually clear mucus from his lungs. Despite these difficulties, he remained alert and cooperative throughout his treatment, doctors said.
In recent weeks, the pope has shown steady improvement. He no longer needs a ventilation mask at night and has reduced his reliance on supplemental oxygen during the day, according to Vatican reports.
On Sunday morning, before his discharge, the pope is expected to bless the faithful from his 10th-floor hospital suite—his first live appearance since being admitted.
This marks the longest hospital stay of Francis’ 12-year tenure as a pope. The Argentine pontiff, who has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed in his youth, is prone to respiratory illnesses in colder months.
While Pope Francis is on the mend, doctors have stressed the importance of rest and rehabilitation in the coming weeks as he gradually resumes his duties at the Vatican.