Pope Francis released from the clinic after five weeks

After more than five weeks, Pope Francis left the hospital. The 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church was brought back to the Vatican in a car colonne with a small car from the Gemelli University Clinic in Rome. Previously, he had shown himself to the public on a balcony of the clinic for the first time. In a wheelchair and with a weak voice, he thanked for support from all over the world. Several thousand people cheered him from below.

According to his doctors, Francis has now survived his severe pneumonia. The head of more than 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide should now spend the next few weeks in his residence Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican, where he will continue to be treated by a doctor. The doctors were satisfied with the progress. In the appearance on the balcony that has not even lasted a minute, the Pope still seemed very weak.

Pope is supposed to avoid crowds

The doctors recommend rest at least two months. Because of his attacked airways, Francis should also avoid crowds. It is uncertain whether he can take part in the Easter celebrations next month. At the age of 88, Francis is now the second oldest pontiff in history. As the successor to the German Pope Benedict XVI. He has been in office since March 2013.

On the way from the hospital to the Vatican, Francis made a stopover in the basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, his favorite church in Rome. The Argentinian has already ordered that he also wants to be buried there.

First problems before Christmas

Francis had been struggling with bronchitis since the run -up to Christmas. Although he had resisted it for weeks, he finally had to go to the Gemelli Hospital on February 14th, the Clinic for Popes in the west of Rome.

In the meantime, the worries about him were very great. The treating doctor Sergio Alfieri reported on Saturday evening that the Pope was in the hospital twice in the hospital during the 38 days.

Again and again breathing aid – continue with hose

Francis suffered from one severe pneumoniathat had captured both lungs. He also had an infection of the respiratory tract with various pathogens. In the meantime, the kidneys also no longer worked full. He also had severe seizures of breath shortage several times, which is why he was ventilated for a long time over a mask on the mouth and nose with mechanical help. However, according to the doctors, he never became artificially ventileted – for example through intubation.

In his residence in the Vatican, the Pope is now still supplied with oxygen via a hose in the nose. In addition, breathing and movement therapy continues.

Since the delivery, the Vatican had only published one photo of the Pope – and only from behind, in front of an altar in the chapel on the tenth floor of the clinic. Francis also spoke up with an audio message, but it was difficult to understand.

Meeting King Charles III in April. on the program

The surprise of the news of the upcoming discharge from the clinic was correspondingly great on Saturday. Francis himself had hoped for a soon return to the Vatican for a few days, the doctors said. Alfieri added that the state of health improved very quickly. If this trend continues, an earlier end of the resting phase is also possible.

At the beginning of April there is a meeting with British King Charles III. planned. In May, a trip to Turkey is actually on the program, although it has never been officially announced.

It is also uncertain whether the Pope can donate the blessing Urbi et Orbi (the city and the earth) at Easter. Easter days are usually an event marathon for the Pontifex. This year there are particularly many pilgrims in Rome because 2025 is a holy year according to Catholic understanding.