Pope Francis, 86, says ‘I’m still alive’ as he leaves hospital in time for Easter and consoles mother over death of her five-year-old daughter
- Pope Francis left Gemelli Polyclinic this morning following a three-day stay
- The 86-year-old pontiff had experienced breathing difficulties on Wednesday
- Before leaving, he stopped to say hello to well-wishers and hugged a woman
Pope Francis joked ‘I’m still alive’ as he cheerfully left hospital this morning following a three-night stay to treat bronchitis.
The 86-year-old pontiff has finally been discharged from the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome where he was admitted after experiencing breathing difficulties on Wednesday.
Before leaving, Francis stopped to say hello to well-wishers and smiled at the crowd, joking ‘I’m still alive’ when asked how he felt.
He was also seen to hug a woman in despair after her daughter had died just last night, according to the Vatican.
Then, as the crowds clapped, Francis headed off in the front seat of a white Fiat 500, ready to begin preparations for Holy Week and Easter – the most important week in the Christian calendar.
Pope Francis left Gemelli Polyclinic this morning following a three-day stay
The 86-year-old pontiff hugged a couple whose daughter had died on Friday at the hospital
Francis has now been admitted to hospital twice in three years, having being taken to Gemelli for 10 days in 2021 after suffering a type of diverticulitis.
Visitors to St Peter’s Square on Friday expressed relief over his recovery.
‘I was afraid for the pope,’ said one 56-year-old Italian tourist who gave his name as Davide.
‘But I’m happy he’s better, that he’s returning. For believers and the Catholic community, it’s important,’ he added.
On the eve of his release, the pope visited the hospital’s cancer ward for children, handing out chocolate Easter eggs and even baptising a weeks-old baby boy, according to a video published by the Vatican.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said Francis had been working earlier on Friday in the hospital’s private papal suite on the 10th floor and catching up on newspapers. On Thursday night, he ate pizza with some hospital staff.
Francis previously said he would step down from presiding over mass if his health failed, but there are no plans of this, confirming today that he will be there on Palm Sunday.
During the mass at St Peter’s Square, he is expected to remain seated while another cleric – probably a senior cardinal – conducts the ceremony at the altar.
The 86-year-old pontiff was admitted after experiencing breathing difficulties on Wednesday
Pope Francis joked ‘I’m still alive’ as he cheerfully left hospital this morning
Pope Francis embraced the woman and waved at the crowd before leaving in his car
His increasing health issues during the past year have sparked widespread concern, including speculation that he might choose to retire rather than stay in the job for life.
Francis’ earlier stay at Gemelli in July 2021 lasted 10 days. He was admitted after suffering from a type of diverticulitis, an inflammation of pockets that develop in the lining of the intestine, that required surgery.
His predecessor, Benedict XVI, quit in 2013, in a radical step not seen since the Middle Ages.
In an interview in January, the pope said the diverticulitis had returned.
Francis sat in the front seat of a white Fiat 500 car that drove him away from Gemelli Polyclinic
Francis marked 10 years as the head of the worldwide Catholic Church earlier this month.
He has pushed through major governance reforms and sought to forge a more open, compassionate Church, although he has faced internal opposition, particularly from conservatives.
The Vatican, citing medical staff, said on Thursday that Francis had been diagnosed with ‘infectious bronchitis’ requiring antibiotics, and that the treatment had brought about a ‘marked improvement in his state of health’.
The Gemelli hospital is the favoured choice of pontiffs to the point of being dubbed ‘Vatican 3’ by pope John Paul II, who was treated nine times at Gemelli and spent a total of 153 days there.
A Jesuit who seems most happy being among his flock, Francis continues to travel internationally and keep a busy schedule.
But he has been forced to use a wheelchair and a walking stick in the past year because of knee pain, and admitted last summer that he had to slow down.
He said on Thursday he was ‘touched by the many messages’ he was receiving in hospital, thanking on Twitter those praying for his recovery.
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