Pope Francis: Comeback planned on Sunday after hospital stay!

Pope Francis: Comeback planned on Sunday after hospital stay!

Pope Francis, who has been in the “Agostino Gemelli” University Hospital in Rome since February 14th, will leave the hospital on Sunday, March 22nd, 2025. His condition is stable, but his recovery will require prolonged pharmacological therapy at the Santa Marta guesthouse in the Vatican, his doctors said at a press conference. The 88-year-old pope will need to rest for at least two months to fully recover, oe24 reported.

The head of the Catholic Church plans to appear in public again for the first time after five weeks of hospital treatment. According to the Vatican, Francis will address a greeting and blessing to the faithful after the traditional Angelus prayer at the Gemelli Clinic. During his stay, he suffered from bronchitis and bilateral pneumonia and required supplemental oxygen several times. Only one photo was published about his illness, which shows him from behind, like this South German newspaper reported. The manner in which the Pope will show himself remains unclear; he may speak from the window or balcony, similar to his predecessor John Paul II in the past.

Outlook for the future

Cardinal Victor Fernandez, a close confidant of the pope, indicated that a new phase of the pontificate could begin after a possible discharge from the hospital. Despite the health challenges, Fernandez does not believe retirement will be part of these surprises. He emphasized that the Pope has learned “many things in recent weeks that will be important for the Church and the world.” The Vatican is about to begin its major Easter celebrations, and it remains to be seen whether Francis will be able to return by then, according to further information from oe24.