Pope Francis Leaves Hospital After Five-Week Stay, Says Vatican

Pope Francis was released from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Sunday after five weeks of treatment for a serious respiratory infection. The 88-year-old pope had been hospitalized on February 14, and his health situation escalated into a severe crisis while in the hospital.

Prior to departing, Pope Francis appeared publicly for the first time in weeks, waving from the balcony of the hospital. It was a quick glimpse. As he was rolled back inside, he said to a woman in the group, “I see this woman with the yellow flowers. Brava!” before giving a frail sign of the cross, according to the Associated Press.

Even in his weakened state, the pope could be spotted smiling and waving at a congregation of well-wishers outside the hospital. During his time in hospital, Catholics and well-wishers around the world had been praying for his speedy recovery, sending flowers, candles, and messages in front of the Gemelli hospital.

This hospitalization was the longest of Francis’ papacy and the fourth time he had been hospitalized since becoming pope in 2013, AFP reported. The Vatican had only released one public photo of him during his hospital stay—a photo released last week, in which he is seen praying at the hospital chapel.

Based on his doctor, Sergio Alfieri, the pope would take ‘at least two months’ to recover. He reiterated that a further improvement will occur at home, stating, “Further progress will take place at his home, because a hospital — even if this seems strange — is the worst place to recover because it’s where one can contract more infections.”

Physicians also disclosed that Pope Francis had experienced two ‘very critical’ moments in his hospitalization, when his life was threatened. But he was conscious throughout the experience.

In the midst of speculation over a potential resignation, Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin quashed the rumors earlier this week, saying, “No, no, no, absolutely not.”