Pope Francis Makes First Public Appearance In 5 Weeks After Being Admitted To Hospital

Francis was admitted to the hospital on February 14, 2025. Afterward, he was diagnosed with a respiratory tract infection.

Pope Francis, recovering from pneumonia, greeted pilgrims outside Gemelli Hospital.

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Before being discharged from the hospital on Sunday, Pope Francis greeted a huge crowd of pilgrims gathered outside Gemelli Hospital in Rome during his first public appearance in more than five weeks. Shortly after the release of the text for Sunday Angelus, He made the brief greeting and blessing from the balcony of his hospital room.

“Thank you to everyone”, 88-year-old Francis told the crowd, who is recovering from pneumonia in both lungs. Later, he then headed towards his home Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican City, where he will be in the recovery phase for at least two months. “Our pope is coming back,” a pilgrim told Rai News.

Francis was admitted to the hospital on February 14, 2025. Afterward, he was diagnosed with a respiratory tract infection and double pneumonia, but later, he was steadily improving, Sergio Alfieri, a general surgeon at Gemelli Hospital, told reporters on Saturday adding that still his body will take more time to fully heal.

Before his doctors pronounced on 10 March that he was no longer in imminent ­danger, Francis, previously, suffered two critical breathing crises in the hospital.

“I have had the opportunity to experience the Lord’s patience, which I also see reflected in the tireless care of the doctors and healthcare workers, as well as in the care and hopes of the relatives of the sick,” Sergio Alfieri said.

“This trusting patience, anchored in God’s unfailing love, is indeed necessary in our lives, especially when facing the most difficult and painful situations," he added.

Pope Francis To Resume Work Schedule: Gemelli Hospital's General Surgeon

He voiced sorrow over Israel’s renewed airstrikes on Gaza, urging an "immediate halt to weapons" and a return to dialogue to secure the release of all hostages and achieve a lasting ceasefire. He also called for prayers for peace in conflict-ridden regions, including Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  

According to La Repubblica, Francis insisted on returning home to continue his recovery and rest. “The hope is that he will soon be able to resume a work schedule,” Alfieri said, though he noted the pope would not immediately be able to meet groups. It remains uncertain whether his scheduled meeting with King Charles and Queen Camilla on April 8 will proceed.  

Despite health concerns, Francis continued to oversee Vatican affairs from his hospital room, approving candidates for sainthood and writing to Corriere della Sera to reiterate his call for peace and disarmament, according to the Guardian

His vulnerability to lung infections stems from pleurisy in his youth, which led to the removal of part of a lung while he was training for the priesthood in Argentina.  

The pope has faced multiple health setbacks in recent years and has previously suggested he may step down if he becomes too unwell to fulfill his duties. However, last week, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin firmly denied speculation about an imminent resignation.