After a grueling battle against double pneumonia and a bout of kidney failure, Pope Francis returned to the Vatican today.
These five weeks on Rome’s Gemelli hospital became the most serious health crisis of his 12-year papacy.
Reuters reported:
“The 88-year-old pope, who also made his first public appearance since February 14 before being discharged from Rome’s Gemelli hospital, left the facility shortly after noon.
A car carrying the pontiff was accompanied by police vehicles through Rome, making a short detour to take flowers to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, a church to which Francis has a special devotion and visits frequently.”
The doctors have warned that it will still take a long time for Francis to fully heal.
The Pope was prescribed another two months of rest at the Vatican, and he is to avoid large or stressful meetings.
It is, therefore, unclear how much activity Francis will undertake in the coming months.
“Just before leaving the hospital on Sunday, Francis smiled and waved at a group of well-wishers gathered outside. He used a wheelchair, as he has done for several years.”
In his brief balcony appearance, Francis’ face ‘looked swollen’, but he was not using oxygen and was breathing on his own.
Bandages were visible on both arms underneath his white garments.
“He spoke briefly, with a feeble voice, to thank 79-year-old Carmela Vittoria Mancuso in the crowd below. Mancuso, who visited the hospital each day during the pope’s treatment, had brought yellow flowers for him. She told Reuters afterwards that her heart ‘was bursting’ when the pope noticed her.”
BREAKING: Pope Francis makes his first public appearance after spending several weeks in the hospital. pic.twitter.com/BDS1WlOQ5z
— The General (@GeneralMCNews) March 23, 2025
Read more:
After Weeks of Oxygen Therapy, Pope Francis Will Have to Relearn How To Speak – Top Cardinal Denies Pontiff Thinking of Resigning
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