Pope Francis made his first public appearance in five weeks on Sunday, congratulated loyalty from Rome’s balcony Jameli hospital Before their discharge after a life-darling battle with pneumonia.
Sitting in a wheelchair, 88-year-old Pontiff gently waved the crowd, gave a thumb-up, and in a weak voice, said in a microphone, “Thank you, everyone”, the news agency AFP said.
His presence “Viva Il Papa!” Hundreds of supporters were gathered with mantras.
Pope’s hospitalization, which lasted for 38 days, was the longest in his 12 -year -old sinner and the second longest in the history of the modern Pope, which raised concerns over his health and possible succession.
Pope was admitted to Jameli on 14 February after a match in bronchitis. Doctors soon diagnosed a serious bacterium, viral and fungal infection in both lungs with complications including anemia, low blood platelets and kidney failure. On 28 February, his position deteriorated when he faced an acute cough fit, breathing vomiting, and he was to be placed on a non -yielding mechanical ventilation mask.
He tolerated two more respiratory crises in the next days, which required doctors to manually clean the mucus from their lungs. Despite these life-threatening failures, he was conscious of his entire treatment and never needed intubation.
Dr. Sergio Alfiary, who coordinated the medical care of Francis, accepted the gravity of his position. He said, “All patients who do not develop such a serious case of double pneumonia are rarely released from the hospital,” he said. “But one morning, when we asked him how he was doing, he replied, ‘I am still alive!” When we knew that he was going to recover ”.
Doctors have advised the Pope to avoid big meetings or take out themselves for at least two months. He will continue to receive 24 -hour medical care at his residence in Vatican and will have access to supplementary oxygen as required. His doctor, Dr. Luigar Carbon stated that Francis will live on oral medicine for a fungus infection in his lungs and will undergo respiratory therapy to gain strength.
“For three or four days, he is asking when he can go home, so he is very happy,” Carbon said.
Their recovery is still going on, it is uncertain whether Pope Francis will participate in major events in the coming weeks, including a planned audience with King Charles III on 8 April and Easter ceremonies at the end of the month. The Vatican officials are also cautious about their ability to travel to Türkiye in May for an important ecological gathering.
Despite his absence, the ongoing Jubilee year 2025 celebrations in the Vatican City are expected to attract more than 30 million pilgrims, not much impressed. The large crowd lives in the herd for the Basilica of St. Peter and participates in the Holy Year celebration.
Although the Pope’s health crisis inspired speculation about a possible resignation, inner Vatican sources say Francis is firm to continue his sinner.
“Today I feel a great pleasure,” Dr. Rasmando said, a visitors to Jamelli. “The performance is that all our prayers from all over the world brought this grace”.