VATICAN: Pope Francis To Make Public Appearance On Sunday In 5 Weeks
Pope Francis will make his first public appearance in more than five weeks on Sunday, bestowing a blessing from the window of his chamber at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital as he battles double pneumonia, the Vatican announced.
Francis, 88, was brought to the hospital on February 14 with a severe respiratory illness that required ongoing care.
Doctor Sergio Alfieri, head of the Gemelli Hospital medical team, stated: “The good news the world and everyone is waiting for is that tomorrow the Holy Father will be discharged. Tomorrow he will return to Santa Marta.”
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) March 22, 2025
For the full story:https://t.co/T6kJT3unXK pic.twitter.com/pTEFZR4LlO
Francis is to visit the hospital window at noon on Sunday to welcome and bless patients, the Vatican announced in a brief statement on Saturday.
On Sundays, the pope traditionally leads a prayer at noon in St. Peter’s Square. Francis hasn’t been able to do this since February 9, before being admitted to the hospital.
The Vatican stated that Francis was not anticipated to give the prayer this Sunday, indicating that the pope is still recovering from pneumonia, but will come to the window for a greeting.
Francis is susceptible to lung infections because he experienced pleurisy as a young adult and had a portion of one lung removed.
His hospitalization has been the most significant health problem of his 12-year papacy, and it has kept him out of public view for the longest period since his election as pontiff in 2013.
Pope Francis intends to appear at his window tomorrow to greet the faithful and impart his blessing. pic.twitter.com/vu3K4SJbrY
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) March 22, 2025
The latest Vatican bulletins on the pope’s medical condition have been cautiously optimistic.
On Friday, the Vatican said that Francis had reduced his usage of high-flow oxygen to facilitate breathing.
However, one senior cardinal stated on Friday that the pope may need time to “relearn to speak” after receiving oxygen during his hospital stay.
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“The pope is doing very well, but high-flow oxygen dries everything out,” said Cardinal Victor Fernandez, the Vatican’s chief doctrine official.
BREAKING: Pope Francis will be discharged from hospital tomorrow, his doctors say https://t.co/8elNC2yE1o
— Sky News (@SkyNews) March 22, 2025
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“He needs to relearn how to speak, but his overall physical condition is as it was before.”
The Vatican has not provided a timeline for the pope’s release from the hospital.
However, plans for a visit with Britain’s King Charles on April 8 have boosted the prospect that Francis will return to his Vatican apartment by then.
VATICAN: Pope Francis To Make Public Appearance On Sunday In 5 Weeks
