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ROME — Doctors have announced that Pope Francis will be discharged from the hospital on Sunday after a 38-day fight against a severe case of pneumonia affecting both lungs.
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the medical director of Gemelli, stated on Saturday that Francis will need at least two months of recuperation and rehabilitation at the Vatican.
Francis was hospitalized at Gemelli on February 14 following a worsening bout of bronchitis, which later developed into a life-threatening case of pneumonia.
Pope Francis’ doctors gave their first in-person update on his condition in a month, indicating significant progress in his recovery from double pneumonia.
The Saturday evening briefing was the first since February 21, a week after the 88-year-old Francis was admitted to Gemelli hospital. He subsequently suffered several respiratory crises that put him in critical condition, although he has since become stable.
In related news, the Vatican announced that Francis will appear on Sunday morning to deliver a blessing to the faithful from his hospital suite on the 10th floor. While Francis released an audio message on March 6 and the Vatican shared a photo of him on March 16, Sunday’s blessing will mark his first public appearance since being admitted on February 14. This hospitalization has been the longest of his 12-year papacy.
The Pope, who is from Argentina and has a history of lung issues, is susceptible to respiratory illnesses during the winter. He also had a portion of one lung removed when he was younger. He was admitted after his bronchitis worsened.
Doctors initially identified a complex respiratory tract infection involving bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Shortly after, they diagnosed pneumonia in both lungs. Blood tests revealed anemia, low blood platelets, and the beginning of kidney failure, all of which later resolved after he received two blood transfusions.
The most serious complications began on February 28, when Francis experienced a severe coughing episode and inhaled vomit, requiring the use of a noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask to aid his breathing. He experienced two more respiratory crises in the days that followed, necessitating manual aspiration of mucus by doctors. He then began sleeping with the ventilation mask at night to help clear fluid buildup in his lungs.
At no time did he lose consciousness, and doctors reported he was alert and cooperative.
The Vatican press office has reported that he has stabilized and shown slight improvement over the past two weeks. He no longer needs the ventilation mask at night and is reducing his use of supplemental oxygen during the day.
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