Pope Francis Set for Sunday Hospital Discharge, Confirms Vatican"

Pope Francis to Be Discharged from Hospital on Sunday, Will Continue Recovery at Vatican

Pope Francis will be discharged from the hospital on Sunday and return to his Vatican residence, his doctors announced during a press conference on Saturday. The 88-year-old pontiff has been hospitalized for 37 days.

According to the Vatican, Pope Francis has been in stable condition for the past two weeks. Before leaving the hospital, he will appear at 12 p.m. local time (7 a.m. ET) from his hospital window to greet and bless the public.

"Pope Francis intends to appear from the Policlinico Agostino Gemelli in Rome for a greeting and a blessing at the end of tomorrow's Angelus [noontime prayer]. Papal text will be distributed in written form, as in recent weeks," the Vatican stated.

The pope is expected to undergo a two-month recovery period at his Vatican residence, where he will continue physiotherapy.

"The pope is improving and, in a short time, should be able to resume normal activities. While he has continued working, we strongly advise that he take adequate time to rest and recover. As a precaution, he will not meet with large groups of people," Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said.

Bruni also noted that it will take time for the pope’s voice to return to normal due to the effects of bilateral pneumonia.

"When the lungs are damaged, and muscles are affected, one of the first things that happens is a loss of voice. Like all patients, young and old, it will take some time for his voice to return to normal. However, we have already seen significant improvements," Bruni explained.

Pope Francis will require oxygen therapy at his residence, where he will have 24-hour medical support.

On Friday, the Vatican confirmed that the pope's condition remained stable, with gradual improvements in both breathing and motor skills.

"At night, he no longer requires mechanical ventilation with a mask but is using high-flow oxygen therapy through nasal cannulas. During the day, his oxygen usage has decreased," the Vatican reported.

For now, the pope's daily routine consists of physiotherapy, prayer, and light work as he continues his recovery.

source: https://abcnews.go.com/International/pope-francis-discharged-hospital-sunday-doctors-announce/story?id=120058869