ROME: Pope Francis has been discharged from the hospital after a three-night stay for bronchitis. The 86-year-old pontiff joked with well-wishers as he left the hospital and headed back to the Vatican to prepare for Easter and Holy Week, the most important week in the Christian calendar.
The pontiff was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Wednesday after feeling unwell following a general audience in St Peter’s Square. His condition improved after receiving antibiotics. Pope Francis visited the children’s cancer ward at the hospital on Friday, handing out chocolate Easter eggs and baptizing a weeks-old baby boy.
As he left on Saturday, he reached out to bless sick people and stopped to hug and pray with distraught parents whose young daughter had just died. The pope confirmed on Saturday that he would preside over Palm Sunday mass in St Peter’s Square, the beginning of a busy week of events leading up to Easter celebrations.
Pope Francis’ increasing health issues
His increasing health problems over the past year have sparked mass concern, including speculation that he might intend to retire rather than stay in the job for life. However, he has repeatedly said he has no plans to quit at the moment.
Pope Francis is expected to remain seated during Palm Sunday mass while another cleric conducts the ceremony at the altar. A large number of visitors to St Peter’s Square on Friday expressed happiness over his recovery, with one 56-year-old Italian tourist saying, “For believers and the Catholic community, it’s important.”
In January, the pope revealed that the diverticulitis, an inflammation of some pockets that develop in the lining of the intestine, that he had suffered from in 2021 had returned. While he continues to travel internationally and keep a busy schedule, he has been forced to use a walking stick and a wheelchair in the past year because of knee pain.
Overall, the pope’s hospitalization has been brief, and he seems to be recovering well. His jovial attitude as he left the hospital suggests that he is in good spirits and looking forward to the busy week ahead.
