Pope Francis' doctors
and Press Office Director brief journalists at the Gemelli Hospital
(ANSA)
Pope Francis to be discharged from hospital on Sunday
Pope Francis is scheduled to be discharged from hospital on
Sunday, 23 March. He will return to Casa Santa Marta after the Angelus, during
which he will greet and bless the faithful from a window of the Gemelli
Hospital at noon.
By Linda Bordoni
Pope Francis will be discharged from Rome’s Agostino Gemelli
Hospital on Sunday and he will return to his residence in the Vatican to
continue his convalescence.
Speaking to journalists on Saturday evening, Doctor Sergio
Alfieri, head of the Gemelli Hospital medical team that has been treating the
Pope for an acute respiratory tract infection and bilateral pneumonia said “The
good news the world and everyone is waiting for is that tomorrow the Holy
Father will be discharged. Tomorrow he will return to Santa Marta.”
Doctor Alfieri, flanked by the Pope’s personal physician,
Doctor Sergio Carbone, explained that the decision to discharge the Pope
follows steady and rapid medical improvements in his clinical condition and the
lifting of the prognosis.
He noted that the past week has seen significant
improvements. He confirmed that when the Pope was admitted to hospital on 14
February, he was suffering an acute respiratory insufficiency due to a polymicrobial
infection that resulted in bilateral pneumonia. This, he explained,
necessitated a combined pharmacological treatment.
Answering questions put to him by reporters, Alfieri
reiterated that the bilateral pneumonia has been successfully treated, but time
is needed for a complete recovery.
Thus, the Pope has been prescribed at least two months of
convalescence, during which he will be receiving medical care and will be
taking an adequate period of rest.
Alfieri noted that the Holy Father’s health is improving
steadily, and the hope is he will soon be able to resume a work schedule. This
however, he pointed out, does not mean he will immediately be able to start
meeting with people and groups as he did before.
The doctor also reiterated, as medical bulletins informed
during the Pope’s entire period of hospitalization, that Pope Francis has
proved to be a “good” and collaborative patient, always heeding the indications
of the medical team.
He also confirmed that during this time the Pope suffered
two critical episodes, during which his life was in danger. He was given
non-invasive mechanical ventilation and high-flow oxygen therapy, but he was
never intubated and was always alert and oriented.
He said that a temporary “loss of voice” after bilateral
pneumonia and its treatment is normal, and he said Pope Francis does not suffer
from diabetes.
Asked what the life of the Pope will be like when he gets
home, Alfieri said that with the continuing rehabilitation therapy, hopefully
he will soon be able to resume his normal activities.
Pointing out that throughout his time in the hospital, the
doctor said Pope Francis has always stayed in touch with current events, both
church-related and political, and – as we have seen – has continued to dedicate
himself to work activities.
He is happy to be discharged, he reiterated, and as all
doctors agree, “the best way to recover is to do so at home.”
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