Pope Francis appeared frail and breathing which made him difficult to speak, appeared on Sunday for over six weeks, briefly appeared on the balcony of the Roman hospital, with hundreds of people gathered in the square in front of him.
“Thank you guys,” he said in a voice wis. The Pope later leaves the hospital and temporarily stops at the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore. Santa Maria Maggiore has an icon of the Virgin Mary, where he is dedicated, headed to the Vatican guesthouse where he lives.
“I see a woman with yellow flowers,” Francis said as she appeared on the balcony on the second floor after being taken to a wheelchair. “She’s fine,” he praised her. He then sat down and waved his hands, as people cheered and waving the flag.
But more than a month after the public’s eyes, Francis changed deeply, his appearance diminished, highlighting what would become a long recovery and new phase for him and the Church. It has been revealed on the balcony that, for now, spoke from the cuffs, bringing spiritual intimacy to the faithful man physically closer to his pope’s characteristics.
The Pope’s voice was thin and jarring. This was supposed to be expected for patients who suffered severe lung and respiratory muscles, as explained at a press conference on Saturday.
His appearance on Sunday was met with the cheers of “Papa Francesco” from loyal people outside the hospital. “Long the rope,” someone cried.
In his blessing, the Pope made a sign of the cross and then returned to the hospital.
“He looks very weak. I know from the news that he still has two months to fully recover, but despite that, we see hope in this,” said Patricia Olivera, a Portuguese teacher who was in the crowd. “This Pope is our hope,” she said.
Just a few weeks ago, there was a great concern that Francis might not recover from other respiratory infections from a pneumonia match where he was suffering from both lungs. His doctor said on Saturday he was in serious danger for the pope’s pneumonia.
However, he received drug therapy and oxygen, resulting in “slow and progressive improvements,” allowing him to overcome the most important episodes, said Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the leader of the medical team that cares for the Pope.
Like the past six weeks, Francis did not convey the traditional Sunday blessings of Angelus, normally given by the Apostles’ Palace overlooking St. Peter’s Square.
In an email from Angelus, announced online by the Vatican, Francis said “sadly grieved at the resumption of the violent Israeli bombing in the Gaza Strip, causing many deaths and injuries,” and he called for an immediate halt of the fight and a quick halt to revive the dialogue. He also sought peace in Myanmar, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as in “suffering Ukraine.”
Sisters Priscilla Wangari, a Franciscan nun from Kenya who was outside the hospital, expressed her happiness about Francis’ recovery. She said she attended the evening rosary at St. Peter’s Square to pray for his health. “We love him because the church needs him. He has to shepherd his people,” she added.
After leaving the hospital, Francis went to Casa Santa Marta, the guesthouse where he lives, and recovered for another two months. His doctor said Saturday that Frances should avoid unnecessary efforts and meetings with large groups and people with small children to minimize the chance of further infections.
Dr. Luigi Carbon, a Vatican-based physician in Frances, said the Pope’s residence is well equipped to address his medical needs.
Francis entered the hospital on February 14th due to acute breathing deficiency caused by a viral or bacterial infection.
Francis was in a severe crisis for weeks after experiencing an asthma respiratory crisis. Early mild kidney failure; and bronchial convulsions that caused him to inhale his vomit after coughing. He used non-invasive mechanical ventilation at night and high-flow oxygen therapy during the day.
Doctors argued that Francis, who had maintained a strict schedule before his illness, should take it easily for at least two months.
“It is clear that, because recovery is by definition a phase of recovery, he cannot carry out the daily activities of meeting people he was used to,” Dr. Carbone said.
Carlos Aguirre, a construction worker from Colorado Springs, said he came to the hospital as part of a group of American Catholic pilgrims and said Francis was happy to have the repairs done. “It’s God’s will. If he comes out, it means that God still has a plan for him,” he said.
