Pope Francis discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Polyclinic!
Rome, Mar 23 (EFE).-
Pope Francis was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Polyclinic on Sunday after a 38-day treatment for a severe respiratory infection, the Vatican press office said.
The 88-year-old pontiff headed back to his residence at Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican after completing his lengthy treatment and undergoing final medical evaluations.
He left the hospital in his usual small car as crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square to witness his return on large screens.
Before departing, Francis briefly greeted well-wishers from the hospital balcony, marking his first public appearance since his hospitalization on Feb. 14.
“He greeted, blessed, and gave thumbs up to the nearly three thousand people gathered in the square below who were applauding his appearance and release from hospital,” the Vatican reported.
“Thank you to everyone!” the Pope told journalists and supporters waiting outside.
Appearing in a wheelchair, he smiled and looked well. “I see that lady with the yellow flowers—how lovely,” he added in a faint voice, his throat muscles weakened by prolonged oxygen therapy.
As in recent weeks, the Angelus prayer was distributed in writing as Francis continues to recover his voice.
He was admitted to the hospital with breathing difficulties, later diagnosed as bronchitis caused by a polymicrobial infection, which worsened into double pneumonia, endangering his life.
On Mar. 6, the pope sent an audio message in Spanish during a nightly Rosary prayer in St. Peter’s Square, speaking in a fatigued voice.
On Saturday, he sent a message to address participants of a Jubilee pilgrimage from the Archdiocese of Naples and other Southern Italian dioceses.
“In these days I have strongly felt the support of your closeness, especially through the prayers with which you have accompanied me,” he said. EFE
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