Vatican: Pope back in the Vatican after five weeks

After great concern about his health, Pope Francis is back in the Vatican. After more than five weeks of inpatient treatment, the head of the Catholic Church was able to leave the Gemelli Hospital in Rome. However, the doctors urgently recommend that Francis continue to spare themselves – for at least two months. At the age of 88, the Argentine is now the second oldest Pope in history.

Immediately before his release, the Pope showed itself to the public for the first time in a month and a half. In a wheelchair and with a weak voice, he thanked for the great support. In Italian he said: “Ringrazio Tutti!” (“Thank you all!”). Several thousand people cheered him from below.

The joy among people was great. “Francis, we are all by your side!” Canced a woman towards the Pope. “A lot of health for you!”, Another called. The Pope waved into the crowd and thanked him again that he also noticed a woman in the crowd: “I greet the woman with the yellow flowers,” he said in the microphone in a voice.

Joy and concern among believers

The woman with the yellow flowers, Carmela Vittoria Mancuso (79), later said to journalists: “I don’t even know what to say. Thank you, thank you! I would not have thought that I would be” seen “. He should give the blessing and instead saw my rose bouquet.

With all the joy, however, many also reacted with concerned faces in the face of the still very weak condition of the Pope. Francis had trouble speaking and breathing. Some of the people in front of the statue of his predecessor Pope John Paul II even had tears in their eyes at the sight. For many, the appearance was obviously a change of feelings.

Further medical treatment in residence in the Vatican

According to the clinic, Francis has now survived his life -threatening pneumonia. However, he still suffers from stubborn infection. The head of more than 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide should now spend the next few weeks in his residence Casa Santa Marta, where he will continue to be treated.

Chief physician Sergio Alfieri was satisfied with the recent progress of the prominent patient. With the appearance on the balcony, which did not even take a minute, the Pope still looked very weak. As a sign that he was better, he thumbs up. However, it bought him to raise their hand to blessing in front of humans.

Pope should avoid groups of people

The doctors recommend rest at least two months. Because of his attacked airways, Francis should also avoid groups of people. It is uncertain whether he can be there at the Easter celebrations next month. It would be the first time that he missed the celebrations. As the successor to the German Pope Benedict XVI. Jorge Mario Bergoglio has been in office for twelve years.

On the way back to the Vatican, Francis put a stopover in the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, his favorite church in the center of Rome in his Fiat 500. So he always does this before traveling and on other important occasions. He also wants to be buried in the Marienkirche. Francis sat in the car in the passenger seat – with a hose in the nose through which he was supplied with oxygen.

First problems before Christmas

Francis had been struggling with bronchitis since the run -up to Christmas. Although he had resisted it for weeks, he finally had to go to the Gemelli Hospital on February 14th, the Clinic for Popes in the northwest of Rome. There was diagnosed with pneumonia, which had recorded both lungs. In the meantime, the worries about him were very great.

The treating doctor Sergio Alfieri reported that the Pope was in the hospital twice in the hospital for 38 days. At times, the kidneys also no longer worked full. He had severe attacks several times, which is why he was ventilated for a long time over a mask on the mouth and nose with mechanical help. However, according to the doctors, he never became artificially ventileted – for example through intubation.

Still aid over hose in the nose

In his residence, the Pope is now still supplied with oxygen via the hose in the nose. In addition, breathing and movement therapy continues. There are no public dates so far. Since the delivery, the Vatican had only published one photo of him – and only from behind, in front of the altar of a chapel in the clinic. Francis also spoke up with an audio message, but it was difficult to understand.

Accordingly, the surprise of the news of the upcoming dismissal was on Saturday evening. Francis is not considered an easy patient. Chief physician Alfieri reported that the Pope had hoped for a return to the Vatican for a few days now.

Program for the next few weeks uncertain

At the beginning of April there is a meeting with British King Charles III. planned. In May there is actually a trip to Turkey, although it has never been officially announced. It is also uncertain whether the Pope can donate the blessing Urbi et Orbi (the city and the earth) at Easter.

Easter days are usually an event marathon for the Pontifex. This year there are particularly many pilgrims in Rome because 2025 is a holy year according to Catholic understanding.