Pope Francis to Be Released from Hospital After Pneumonia Battle

After battling double pneumonia for five weeks, Pope Francis is finally going home. The 88-year-old pontiff will need to rest for at least two months at the Vatican before resuming his public duties.

Pope Francis will be discharged from Rome's Gemelli hospital on Sunday, according to his medical team. The 88-year-old has spent over five weeks recovering from double pneumonia. Following his hospital stay, he will require at least two months of recovery time at the Vatican. Since being admitted to the hospital on February 14, the Pope has only made one public appearance, with a released photograph showing him praying in a hospital chapel.

As Pope Francis’s condition continues to improve, Vatican officials confirm that he is stable with better breathing and mobility. Cardinal Victor Fernandez noted that the Pope might need to "relearn to speak" after using high-flow oxygen therapy extensively. However, the Cardinal reassured the public that the Pope's general health status remains consistent with what it was prior to his hospitalization.

Recently, an audio recording featuring Pope Francis speaking Spanish was recently played in St. Peter's Square, where he thanked the faithful for their prayers. The Vatican has also dismissed rumors surrounding his resignation and noted that he no longer requires mechanical ventilation at night, opting instead for a smaller oxygen tube during the day.

Having led the Roman Catholic Church for nearly 12 years, Pope Francis has faced multiple health challenges throughout his life, including undergoing lung surgery at 21, which makes him more vulnerable to infections. As Easter approaches on April 20, there are hopes for his full recovery, although a definitive timeline for his return to public events remains uncertain.