Pope Francis to Be Discharged From Hospital Sunday, Doctors Announce

Pope Francis will be discharged from the hospital Sunday following a five-week stay battling chronic lung disease, the pontiff’s doctors announced Saturday.

The pope was first admitted to a Rome hospital on Feb. 14 and diagnosed with double pneumonia, but the situation escalated a week later to the point where Francis was in critical condition following an “asthmatic respiratory crisis.”

In the month since, the 88-year-old pontiff has steadily recovered at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, with his condition stable enough to allow for a planned release on Sunday.

“The Holy Father will be discharged from tomorrow in stable clinical condition with a prescription to partially continue drug therapy and a convalescence and rest period of at least two months,” Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the head of the team taking care of the pope, said Saturday at a press conference. “Today we are happy to say that tomorrow he will be at home.”

The release will also allow for Frances to resume his holy duties, as his first public appearance since his health ordeal is also scheduled to take place Sunday, the Vatican announced. Presumably before his discharge, Pope Frances will go to the hospital’s window around noon Sunday “for a greeting and to impart his blessing.”

Despite the health issues, Pope Francis’ social media has still delivered its #GospelOfTheDay Sunday, which was accompanied by a note from His Holiness thanking well-wishers for their prayers soon after his hospitalization.

“I have recently received many messages of affection, and I have been particularly struck by the letters and drawings from children,” the pope wrote. “Thank you for your closeness, and for the consoling prayers I have received from all over the world!”