Pope Francis' condition has improved enough that he was discharged from a Rome hospital on Sunday and sent to recover at least two months at the Vatican, his doctor said Saturday evening.
They added that his case of pneumonia in both lungs was so serious that he put his life in serious danger.
The doctor said that the Pope's condition has been stable for the past two weeks and he has overcome his most dangerous infection, but he has not completely cured and needs to rest for at least two months.
He needs treatment and oxygen, as normal for patients recovering from pneumonia before resuming normal schedules, his doctor said. They urged the Pope to avoid meetings with large groups, people with small children and other sources of infection.
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the leader of the medical team that cares for the Pope, said he had been seeking days for the bishop to return home.
“He was very happy,” Dr. Alfieri said.
For weeks, Catholics around the world have been praying for the Pope to be restored. Since February 25th, the Cardinals have guided the Rosary prayers every night at St. Peter's Square, which depicts hundreds of faithful people each night.
Pope Francis was admitted to the hospital on February 14th with bronchitis. Bronchitis occurred in both lungs that were complicated by microbial infections. The doctors did not write words when he held a press conference at Gemeri Hospital on February 21st.
For weeks, Francis experienced an asthma respiratory crisis, mild early kidney failure, and bronchial convulsions, causing him to inhale vomit after inhaling a cough, leaving him in a serious condition. He used non-invasive mechanical ventilation during the night and alternated with high-flow oxygen therapy during the day.
On March 10, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis has improved so much that it is no longer considered in the immediate danger from pneumonia and other infectious diseases, but said there are more days to treat patients. He began slowly reducing his use of oxygen therapy.
Last Sunday, the Vatican issued the first photo of the clergy after entering the hospital, and announced that on Saturday, Francis might appear on Gemeri's balcony and give Angelus' blessings tomorrow.
Francis was already frail. He has part of one lung removed as a young man, and in recent years he has been moving around using a wheelchair and cane to fight many health issues. He was hospitalized with bronchitis in 2023 and had a hernia abdominal surgery again a few months later, and was associated with colon surgery in 2021.
Francis often suffered from bronchitis during the winter, but he had not stopped the Pope from maintaining his strict schedule a few weeks before his hospitalization.
