A cheery-sounding Pope Francis joked to journalists before leaving the Rome hospital where he was treated for bronchitis that he was “still alive.”
Francis, 86, was hospitalized at Gemelli Polyclinic on Wednesday after having trouble breathing at his monthly public audience in St. Peter’s Square. The Vatican stated the pontiff got intravenous antibiotics throughout his stay.
The Vatican announced Francis’ Holy Week agenda, indicating his improved health. He would preside at Palm Sunday’s St. Peter’s Square Mass and an outdoor Easter Mass on April 9. Due to his knee problem, a Vatican cardinal will celebrate both Masses.
Francis will deliver Holy Thursday Mass at a Rome juvenile jail. On Good Friday, he was undecided about attending the late-night, torch-lit Way of the Cross procession in Rome’s Colosseum.
Francis consoled a Rome couple whose 5-year-old daughter died Friday night at Gemelli Polyclinic before leaving late Saturday morning. Outside, Angelica’s mother, Serena Subania, cried onto the pope’s bosom.
Francis enjoyed visiting with well-wishers. First, the pope gestured, “Do you have a pen?” as a kid showed him his arm cast. Three papal aides produced theirs. Then, Francis signed the child’s well-autographed cast using one of the pens.
“I felt sick,” the pontiff stated, pointing to his midsection, a sign that led his medical team to take him to the hospital Wednesday.
Francis joked, “Still alive.” Thumbs up.
Francis left the hospital by a side door, but his car stopped in front of the main gate, where the media waited. He exited the automobile himself. Francis used his cane.
After talking, he returned to the white Fiat 500 that drove him from Gemelli Polyclinic. Instead of going home, his motorcade passed Vatican City and drove to his favorite Rome destination, St. Mary Major Basilica.
Due to a longstanding knee ailment, he typically uses a wheelchair to travel greater distances, and astonished visitors took photographs of him there. Residents and visitors on the street shouted, “Long live the pope!” and celebrated as he finished praying.
Francis visited St. Mary Major Basilica, which houses a Virgin Mary image, after intestinal surgery for bowel constriction in July 2021. He visits the church after vacations overseas.
Francis told journalists hospital staff “display wonderful sensitivity” before departing Saturday.
“Sickness is capricious. He stated he admired the hospital staff. Francis also claimed he liked journalists’ stories of his sickness, notably a Rome daily.
Before entering the Vatican through a gate, Francis spoke to the media again. He shouted, “Good Easter to everybody, and pray for me,” via a vehicle window.
“Forward, thanks,” he responded, anxious to begin his routine.
On another visit, he stepped out of his car to give chocolate Easter eggs to the motorcycle police officers leading his motorcade.
The pope’s low voice made reading the Palm Sunday sermon uncertain. However, after Mass, he informed reporters that he will bless the public in St. Peter’s Square.
Francis had part of a lung removed as a youth in Argentina, making him susceptible to respiratory illnesses.
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