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ROME (AP) — Pope Francis will be released from hospital on Sunday after fighting a life-threatening case of pneumonia in both lungs for 38 days, his doctors said.
Gemelli Medical Director Dr. Sergio Alfieri said on Saturday that Francis will need at least two months of rest and rehabilitation as he continues to return and recover in the Vatican.
Francis was admitted to Gemeri Hospital on February 14th after the bronchitis match worsened. He later developed a life-threatening case of pneumonia.
Pope Francis’ doctors provided the first in-person update on the status of staff in a month, with signs of good and steady progress in his battle with dual pneumonia.
The Saturday night briefing was the first since February 21st, a week after 88-year-old Francis was brought to Gemeri Hospital. He then experienced several breathing crises, which landed in a critical state, but has since become stable.
In another development, the Vatican announced that Francis would appear on Sunday morning to celebrate his faithful blessing from the hospital’s 10th floor suite. Francis released an audio message on March 6th, and the Vatican distributed his photos on March 16th, but Sunday’s Blessing will be his first live appearance since Francis was recognized on February 14th, as Francis became his longest hospitalization for the Pope of his 12 years.
Pope Francis will meet with Czech Republic Prime Minister Robert Fico in the Vatican on Friday, February 14th, 2025 (Vatican Media via AP, HO)
The Argentine Pope, suffering from chronic lung disease, is prone to respiratory problems in the winter, and as a young man, removed a part of his lung, but was noted after a worsening bronchitis match.
The doctor first diagnosed a complex bacterial, viral, and fungal respiratory infection, and then immediately diagnosed pneumonia in both lungs. Blood tests showed signs of anemia, hypoplatelets and development of renal failure, and everything resolved after two subsequent transfusions.
The most serious retreat began on February 28th, when Francis experienced an acute cough and inhaled vomit. He suffered two more respiratory crises the following day. This required the doctor to manually inhale the mucus. At that point, he began to sleep in a ventilation mask at night to help his lungs clear the buildup of fluid.
He never lost consciousness and the doctor reported that he was vigilant and supportive.
Over the past two weeks, he has registered a steady and slight improvement, reported the Vatican news agency. He no longer needs to wear a ventilation mask at night, reducing his reliance on high flows of supplemental oxygen during the day.
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Associated Press’ Religious Reporting will be supported through collaboration with the Associated Press and Conversation, along with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is responsible for this content only.
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