Pope Francis leaves hospital after weeks of illness

Pope Francis has been allowed to leave Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he was staying due to illness. The Pope greeted supporters before departing and heading to the Vatican.

The details behind Pope Francis’s illness

According to AP News, Pope Francis was in the hospital on 14 February 2025 due to double pneumonia, which was enough to threaten his life.

According to Healthline, “Double pneumonia is a lung infection that affects both of your lungs. The infection inflames the air sacs in your lungs, or the alveoli, which fill with fluid or pus. This inflammation makes it hard to breathe.”

This 38-day hospitalisation period is the second-longest in papal history and the longest in the Pope’s papacy.

The next steps of the Pope’s recovery

Now that he is released, the doctors have made it clear that Pope Francis needs at least two months of rest. After this period, the Pope will be allowed to resume his normal activities, which were put on hold.

According to AP News, it is recommended that he avoids meeting with large groups of people during his resting period. Despite this, the Pope greeted people waiting to see him.

Pope Francis greeting supporters

Before he was released from the hospital, the Pope appeared from a balcony to reassure his supporters.

According to DW, he was seen waving and giving thumbs up to the crowds. “Thank you, everyone,” he said while speaking into a microphone.

The crowd responded enthusiastically to finally being able to see the Pope. They chanted “Viva il papa!” and “Papa Francesco,” the former meaning “long live the Pope.” After this, Pope Francis was on his way.

Making a stop before reaching the Vatican

Before heading to the Vatican, the car with Pope Francis in it after his discharge headed to St. Mary Major Basilica. The Pope’s favourite icon, the Madonna, is located there. AP News reported that the Pope visits the basilica after any foreign visit.

According to Britannica, “Madonna, in Christian art, [is a] depiction of the Virgin Mary,” and it is usually accompanied “by the infant Christ, but there are several important types that show her alone.”

How did people react to Pope Francis’s release?

Along with the crowds waiting to see him outside the hospital, several have made statements to AP news showing their relief.

“Today, I feel a great joy. It is the demonstration that all our prayers, all the rosary prayers from all over the world, brought this grace,” said Dr Rossella Russomando, one of the doctors at the hospital.

“If the first medicine was the affection of the children, the second medicine is definitely (going) home. It will certainly speed up his recovery,” said Rev. Enzo Fortunato hinting to how many children sent Pope Francis get-well cards from all over the world.

“Unfortunately, yes, there was a moment when many were saying that he might not make it. And it was painful for us. Instead, today with the discharge, we are very happy that he is well, and we hope he will recover soon and will recover his strength,” said Mario Balsamo, who is the owner of a coffee shop in front of the hospital.

How did you react to the news of Pope Francis’s hospital release? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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