The discharge of Pope Francis is scheduled for Sunday, and according to one of his doctors, he will require two months of rest at the Vatican after being hospitalized.
The 88-year-old Francis was admitted to a hospital in Rome on February 14 due to a severe respiratory infection that has been progressively treated.
People around the world, including Catholics, have been praying for his recovery. Many have been leaving tokens of support such as flowers, candles, and notes outside Gemelli University Hospital, where he is receiving treatment.
On Sunday, Francis is expected to make his first public appearance since falling ill from the hospital.
“Pope Francis plans to greet the public and offer a blessing from the Agostino Gemelli hospital in Rome following the Angelus prayers,” announced the Vatican on Saturday.
The Angelus prayers are typically performed by the pope at noon every Sunday, but due to his hospitalization, Francis has not been able to do so for five consecutive weeks – marking the first time since his election in March 2013.
Francois has previously addressed the public from Gemelli hospital during past hospital stays. On July 11, 2021, he led the Angelus prayer from his balcony on the 10th floor of the hospital after undergoing colon surgery.
Although the current hospital stay is the longest of his papacy, there has been recent improvement in his health conditions.
On Wednesday, the Vatican announced that Francis had ceased the use of an oxygen mask and was showing signs of improvement. This has led to speculation about who will oversee the upcoming religious events leading up to Easter on April 20, the holiest period in the Christian calendar.
The Vatican has not made any definitive decisions in this regard yet.
Despite the improvement in his health, there are rumors circulating that Francis might step down due to his frailty, following the example of his predecessor, Benedict XVI.
Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin stated on Monday that he had observed progress in Francis’s health situation, but denied any discussions about the pope’s resignation taking place.
