Surgeon Sergio Alfieri speaks to journalists on Saturday within the entrance corridor of Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, the place Pope Francis has been receiving remedy for bilateral pneumonia.
Gregorio Borgia/AP
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Gregorio Borgia/AP
Pope Francis will go away the hospital on Sunday, his medical workforce mentioned.
After spending greater than 5 weeks within the hospital, docs mentioned that his life-threatening respiratory sickness was efficiently handled, and that he would require two months of relaxation and care on the Vatican.
Francis, 88, was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Feb. 14 with a extreme respiratory an infection that precipitated pneumonia in each lungs.
“At this time, we’re completely happy to say that tomorrow he shall be at residence,” Sergio Alfieri, the hospital’s head of drugs and surgical procedure, instructed journalists on Saturday night time.
The information follows updates from the Vatican noting his improved situation.
Throughout his hospitalization, the pope skilled two “very vital episodes” by which his “life was at risk,” Alfieri mentioned.
Francis underwent two bronchoscopies to attempt to take away mucus secretions in his lungs, the Vatican mentioned earlier this month. He had additionally obtained noninvasive mechanical air flow. However the pontiff by no means required a tracheal tube to maintain his airway open.
“The holy father was by no means intubated and he at all times remained alert and oriented,” Alfieri mentioned.
Alfieri instructed reporters that the bilateral pneumonia has been efficiently handled, however time is required for a whole restoration.
Francis will want two months of relaxation on the Vatican, throughout which he’ll proceed to obtain medical care, the surgeon mentioned.
In what shall be his first public look he was hospitalized, Francis will give his blessing shortly after midday on Sunday to a crowd exterior the hospital, the Vatican mentioned in an announcement.
Earlier Saturday, the pope despatched a message to pilgrims who’re in Rome for the Catholic Church’s Jubilee 12 months.
The pope thanked pilgrims for his or her prayers, and them requested to proceed sending messages of assist, in response to the Vatican. “I bless you and pray for you. And please: proceed to hope for me too.”
