Pope Francis will return to his residence in the Vatican on March 23 after spending 38 days in Rome’s Gemelli hospital for treatment of double pneumonia, doctors announced.

After 37 days of hospitalisation and two respiratory crises, Bergoglio is ready to leave and return to his mission with a smile. Pope Francis will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow. “It will take two months of convalescence and rest.” The return to Santa Marta was announced at a press point at the Gemelli hospital after a hospitalisation lasting over a month amid concerns among the faithful.

“The good news that the whole world is waiting for is that tomorrow, the Holy Father is being discharged; he will return to Santa Marta”. This was announced by Prof. Sergio Alfieri, director of the Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Policlinico Gemelli and director of the medical team that followed the Pope, during the second briefing with the doctors at the end of Bergoglio’s thirty-seventh day of hospitalisation in the Roman hospital. Also present was Dr. Luigi Carbone, deputy director of the Hygiene and Health Directorate of the Vatican City State and the Holy Father’s referring physician: “He will return to Santa Marta for his convalescence.

“The good news that the whole world is waiting for is that tomorrow, the Holy Father is being discharged; he will return to Santa Marta”. The announcement was made by Prof. Sergio Alfieri, director of the Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences at the Policlinico Gemelli and director of the medical team that followed the Pope, during the second briefing with the doctors – after the one on February 21 – at the end of Bergoglio’s thirty-seventh day of hospitalisation in the Roman hospital. “The Pope was discharged in stable clinical conditions for at least two weeks”, explained Alfieri: “The prescription is to partially continue the pharmacological therapies, which he will have to take orally for a long time, and – very importantly – the recommendation of a period of rest, in convalescence, for at least two months”.  “This is a protected discharge,” explained Dr. Luigi Carbone, deputy director of the Vatican City State Health and Hygiene Directorate and the Holy Father’s referring physician: “He will return to Santa Marta for his convalescence. We have assessed the needs and, like all discharged 88-year-old patients who have had bilateral pneumonia, we have assessed the Holy Father’s needs, which are the need for oxygen for as long as he needs it and 24-hour assistance, which the Vatican Health and Hygiene Directorate can easily offer, even in emergencies. We have prepared to welcome him home.”

The Pontiff had been hospitalised on February 14 for “acute respiratory failure due to a polymicrobial infection.” Viruses, fungi and bacteria – an insidious triad – had caused “severe bilateral pneumonia” that required intensive and combined treatment: “pharmacological, high-flow oxygen therapy and unassisted mechanical ventilation.” Alfieri admitted it clearly: “During the Holy Father’s hospitalisation, there were two very critical episodes in which his life was in danger.” It was a slow recovery, but now the worst is over.

Bergoglio has not lost his irony: “I’m still alive.”

Pope Francis’ tone also confirms the improvement, as he told the doctors with a hint of humour: “I’m still alive.” And so, between smiles and physiotherapy, the Pontiff is preparing to return to his daily life in Santa Marta. But his convalescence is not over: “It will take at least two months of rest, and it will also take time for his voice to return to normal,” the doctors explain. Oxygen will continue to accompany him “as long as he needs it,” for now, meetings with groups or activities that involve great effort are not recommended.

Despite this, Francis does not give up on his mission. Tomorrow, before leaving the Gemelli, “he will look out of the window of the room where he is hospitalised at the end of the Angelus,” says Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office. The Angelus will be distributed in written form, as has been the case in recent weeks, but the look, the gesture and the presence are worth more than a thousand words.