Pope Francis is set to depart Gemelli Hospital after an extended hospital stay owing to severe respiratory complications.
The Vatican has confirmed that Francis will bless the faithful from his hospital suite before heading back to the Vatican to continue recuperating from his illness, Fox News reported.
February 14 marked the beginning of Pope Francis' hospital admission when his bronchitis developed into life-threatening pneumonia. His condition necessitated immediate and extensive medical care, including addressing two critical episodes, as noted by Dr. Sergio Alfieri, medical director at Gemelli Hospital.
Initially, the pope suffered from acute respiratory complications due to a polymicrobial infection. According to Dr. Alfieri, his condition led to respiratory failure that demanded intensive treatment, including noninvasive mechanical ventilation and blood transfusions.
The 38-day hospitalization of Pope Francis has been the longest in his papacy, reflecting the severity of his condition. Throughout this period, his health team worked diligently to stabilize him, noting both "two very critical episodes" and gradual improvement over his stay.
Dr. Alfieri pointed out that the pope experienced acute respiratory failure due to a polymicrobial infection. Combined with double pneumonia, these respiratory issues highlighted the fragility of the pope’s health, exacerbated by his history of respiratory troubles.
In his youth, the pope had part of a lung removed, which likely increased his vulnerability to respiratory infections. This health background contributed to the complications faced during his recent hospitalization.
Despite the challenges, Pope Francis no longer deals with double pneumonia, though some infection remains unresolved. Remarkably, his dependence on supplemental oxygen has decreased recently. According to Dr. Alfieri, the pope's voice has been affected by the pneumonia but should recover with time. Doctors advise Pope Francis to rest and avoid public engagements for at least two months to ensure proper rehabilitation and recovery.
These recommendations aim to prevent further health setbacks as he gains strength. Returning to public duties too soon could impose unnecessary risks on his recovering health.
Despite ongoing recovery needs, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis will publicly address and bless the faithful from his hospital suite on Sunday morning. This marks his first direct engagement since his hospitalization commenced.
Following this public appearance, he plans to return to Vatican City to continue his recovery process. Although no longer requiring a night ventilation mask, his care team remains cautious about his health status.
Pope Francis' communication abilities have been affected, but experts assure that improvement is anticipated. As his voice strength returns, the pontiff is expected to gradually resume his public duties under close medical supervision.
This hospitalization episode underlines the critical nature of respiratory health in aging populations. As Pope Francis returns to the Vatican, he begins a recovery protocol designed to optimize his health and prepare for the eventual resumption of his papal responsibilities.
