Pope's first public appearance after recovery from pneumonia

Pope Francis is set to make his first public appearance in five weeks before being discharged from the hospital on Sunday. The 88-year-old pontiff survived a severe pneumonia that twice put his life at risk and raised concerns about his resignation or funeral. The Pope will deliver a blessing from the 10th-floor papal suite at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. Afterward, he will return to the Vatican for a period of rest, rehabilitation, and recovery, as advised by his doctors, who recommended avoiding large gatherings and physical exertion for at least two months.

Dr. Luigi Carbone, the Pope's personal physician, stated that as long as Francis maintains his progress, he should be able to resume normal activities in due course. His return home brings significant relief to the Vatican and to the Catholic faithful, who anxiously followed his 38 days of medical struggles. Though the pneumonia was treated successfully, the Pope will continue to take oral medication to treat a fungal lung infection and undergo respiratory and physical therapy.

Pope Francis, who has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed in his youth, was admitted to Gemelli on February 14 after a worsening case of bronchitis. Doctors diagnosed a complex respiratory infection and pneumonia in both lungs. Complications, including anemia, low blood platelets, and kidney failure, were resolved after two blood transfusions.

The most severe setbacks occurred on February 28, when Francis suffered an acute coughing fit and inhaled vomit, requiring a noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask. He experienced two additional respiratory crises in the following days, during which doctors aspirated large amounts of mucus from his lungs. At this point, he began using the ventilation mask at night to help clear fluid from his lungs.

Despite these challenges, he never lost consciousness and remained alert and cooperative. His doctor, Dr. Sergio Alfieri, emphasized that Francis’ survival was remarkable, as not all patients with such severe double pneumonia recover. He noted that Francis regained his characteristic humor after a difficult period.

While the Pope still experiences difficulty speaking due to lung and muscle damage, doctors anticipate his voice will recover over time. In the past two weeks, his condition has stabilized, and he no longer requires the ventilation mask at night or high levels of supplemental oxygen during the day.

Though upcoming events, including a planned audience with King Charles III on April 8 and Easter services, remain uncertain, Dr. Carbone expressed hope that the Pope might be well enough to travel to Turkey at the end of May for an ecumenical anniversary. Francis returns to the Vatican amid the Holy Year celebrations, which are expected to bring millions of pilgrims to Rome. Despite missing several events, his absence has not significantly impacted pilgrim numbers.

On March 6, the Pope released an audio message expressing gratitude for the prayers of his followers, and a photo of him was shared on March 16. Sunday's blessing marks his first live appearance since his hospitalization.

Only Pope John Paul II had a longer hospitalization, spending 55 days at Gemelli in 1981 for surgery and infection treatment.