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Associated Press

Pope Francis will be released from hospital on Sunday, after 38 days battling a life-threatening case of pneumonia in both lungs, his doctors said.
Gemelli medical director Sergio Alfieri said on Saturday that Francis will require at least two months of rest and rehabilitation as he continues recovering back at the Vatican.
Francis was admitted to Gemelli hospital on February 14 after a bout of bronchitis worsened. He later developed a life-threatening case of pneumonia.
Pope Francis ’ doctors provided their first in-person update on the pontiff’s condition in a month, in a sign that he has made good and steady progress in his battle against double pneumonia.
The Saturday evening briefing is the first since February 21, a week after the 88-year-old Francis was brought to Gemelli hospital.
He subsequently experienced several respiratory crises that landed him in critical condition, though he has since stabilised.

In another development, the Vatican announced that Francis would appear on Sunday morning to bless faithful from his 10th floor suite at the hospital.
While Francis released an audio message on March 6 and the Vatican distributed a photo of him March 16, Sunday’s blessing will be the first live appearance since Francis was admitted on February 14 for what has become the longest hospitalisation of his 12-year papacy.
The Argentine pope, who has chronic lung disease, is prone to respiratory problems in winter and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted after a bout of bronchitis worsened.
Doctors first diagnosed a complex bacterial, viral and fungal respiratory tract infection and soon thereafter, pneumonia in both lungs.
Blood tests showed signs of anaemia, low blood platelets and the onset of kidney failure, all of which later resolved after two blood transfusions.

The most serious setbacks began on February 28, when Francis experienced an acute coughing fit and inhaled vomit, requiring he use a non-invasive mechanical ventilation mask to help him breathe.
He suffered two more respiratory crises in the following days, which required doctors manually aspirate the mucus, at which point he began sleeping with the ventilation mask at night to help his lungs clear the accumulation of fluids.
At no point did he lose consciousness, and doctors reported he was alert and cooperative.
Over the past two weeks, he has stabilised and registered slight improvements, the Vatican press office has reported.
He no longer needs to wear the ventilation mask at night, and is cutting back his reliance on high flows of supplemental oxygen during the day.


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Pope Francis

Pope Francis waves as he arrives for his weekly general audience at the Vatican in February. Photo: AP

Chief surgeon Sergio Alfieri speaks during a press conference at the Gemelli hospital in Rome, Italy, on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

A nun holds a rosary as she prays near the statue of late Pope John Paul II at the Gemelli hospital in Rome on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

The image taken from behind him shows Francis seated in a wheelchair, wearing a cassock and stole. Photo: Holy See Press Office via Reuters

Earlier Sunday, dozens of children gathered outside Rome’s Gemelli hospital. Photo: Reuters

A nun prays for Pope Francis, in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican. Photo: AP

Women pray by the statue of late Pope John Paul II outside Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where Pope Francis is being treated. Photo: Reuters

Pope Francis on January 3, before his battle with pneumonia. Photo: AFP

Catholic nuns listen to a recorded message from Pope Francis in St Peter’s Square at The Vatican. Photo: AP

Pope Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14. Photo: EPA-EFE

Pilgrims have been gathering in St Peter’s Square every evening to pray for the pope’s recovery. Photo: Reuters

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The pontiff will need at least two months of rest after spending nearly 40 days battling a life-threatening case of pneumonia in both lungs


The pontiff will need at least two months of rest after spending nearly 40 days battling a life-threatening case of pneumonia in both lungs.


Catholic Church

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Italy