Pope Francis on Sunday issued an impassioned plea for an end to deadly conflict around the globe – including in Gaza and Ukraine – after being released from hospital following treatment for pneumonia in both his lungs.
The pontiff greeted crowds of well-wishers from the balcony of his room at Gemelli hospital in Rome, his first public appearance in more than five weeks, before returning to his home in Santa Marta, near St Peter’s Basilica.
His medical team revealed that his life was in danger on two occasions and oxygen was administered to ease life-threatening conditions.
He later thanked the public for their support during his health battle and urged them to join him in prayers for global peace.
"You have continued to pray for me with so much patience and perseverance: thank you so much," Pope Francis wrote on X.
"I also pray for you. Let us pray together for peace, especially in martyred Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo."
Pope Francis has been told to rest for two months after being discharged from hospital.
“He is in a stable clinical condition with a prescription to partially continue drug therapy and with a convalesce and rest period for at least two months,” Dr Sergio Alfieri, director of Gemelli Hospital’s medical and surgical sciences department, told a news conference.
Pope Francis, 88, was treated for an acute respiratory tract infection and bilateral pneumonia and doctors said the decision to discharge him followed steady progress.
Two critical episodes
His appearance on Sunday was the first in his longest spell in hospital in 12 years as head of the Roman Catholic Church.
His medical team told of four acute respiratory attacks, of which two were critical episodes.
“During his hospitalisation the Holy Father’s clinical conditions presented two very critical episodes in which the Holy Father’s life was in danger,” Dr Alfieri said. “The pharmacological therapy, the administration of high flow oxygen and assisted mechanical ventilation recorded as low but progressive improvement bringing the Holy Father out of the most critical episodes.”
The doctor emphasised that Pope Francis was given non-invasive mechanical ventilation, administered high-flow oxygen therapy with a mask to help him breathe but had not been intubated during his hospital stay.
“The Holy Father was never intubated and he always remained alert and orientated,” he said.
Temporary voice loss
He was admitted to hospital last month with a diagnosis of a complex bacterial and viral respiratory tract infection and then with pneumonia in both lungs.
Doctors said the pope still has some trouble speaking but temporary loss of voice was normal for patients who required supplemental oxygen.
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Pope Francis appears on a balcony of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, where he has been treated for bronchitis and bilateral pneumonia since February 14. AP Photo -
Pope Francis waves to followers outside the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome before being discharged following a five-week stay for pneumonia. AFP -
The faithful wait for Pope Francis' first public appearance in five weeks on March 23. The pontiff was sent home from Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome to continue his recovery under the supervision of physicians. Reuters -
Pope Francis makes his first public appearance in five weeks from a balcony of Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome overlooking a marble statute of his predecessor John Paul II. Reuters -
Cheers for Pope Francis makes his first public appearance in five weeks after treatment for pneumonia in both lungs. Reuters -
Pope Francis delivers his blessing, after the Angelus prayer, from a balcony of the Gemelli Hospital before his return home to continue his convalescence. EPA -
Nuns await the appearance of Pope Francis after his five-week stay in hospital in Rome with pneumonia in both lungs. Reuters -
Reflections on the window of the car as Pope Francis leaves by Gemelli hospital after a five week hospital stay for pneumonia. He is to spend 'at least two months' recovering, one of his doctors announced said. AFP
“When you have bilateral pneumonia, your lungs and respiratory muscles are in some difficulty, you lose your voice a bit,” Dr Alfieri said. “Especially for older patients, you need some time for your voice to come back to what it was.”
People gather daily to pray for his health outside the hospital in Rome and in St Peter’s Square.
During his stay at hospital, he has sent messages to Christians expressing gratitude for their love and prayers.
In one message, he expressed “great joy” for their support, faith and unity, according to the Vatican news media.
Thanking people for their prayers, he wrote, “Recently, I have very much felt the support that comes from your closeness … particularly the prayers which you have been accompanying me with.
“Even though I can’t be with you physically, I want to express my great joy in knowing that you are united to me and among yourselves.”
Doctors have said Pope Francis will continue with his rehabilitation therapy at home and would later be likely to resume normal activities.
