Pope Francis to be released from hospital

Pope Francis will make a balcony appearance before returning to the Vatican after spending more than a month in hospital.

Pope Francis is to leave hospital within hours and return to his residence in the Vatican, where he is to spend “at least two months” recovering, one of his doctors announced.

The 88-year-old pontiff has been in Rome’s Gemelli hospital since February 14, when he was admitted with breathing problems, and he subsequently battled pneumonia in both lungs.

The Vatican said earlier that the Pope intended to wave and offer a blessing from Gemelli hospital.

Pope Francis arrives to celebrate the mass for the Jubilee of the Armed Forces at St. Peter's square in the Vatican on February 9, 2025. Pope Francis "slept all night long" the Vatican said on March 4, 2025 after he suffered two breathing attacks on Monday, as the 88-year-old pontiff struggles to recover from pneumonia. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)

The doctor, Sergio Alfieri, said that “tomorrow, the pope will leave (the hospital) and return to Saint Martha’s House” in the Vatican, where Pope Francis has his residential suite.

There, the head of the Catholic Church will have to observe “a long convalescence.... of at least two months,” Alfieri told reporters.

Another doctor at the hospital, Luca Carbone, said the elderly Pope’s health “is improving” and “we hope that he will soon be able to resume his normal activities”.

The pontiff will also make his first public appearance at the hospital’s balcony before making his way back to his residence, the Casa Santa Marta, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said.

Professor Sergio Alfieri gives a press conference at the Gemelli hospital. Picture: AFP

Dr Alfieri said: “Further progress will take place at his home, because a hospital — even if this seems strange — is the worst place to recover because it’s where one can contract more infections.”

The fragile state of the Pope’s health had spurred speculation that he could step down, as his predecessor, Benedict XVI, did.

Faithful brave the rain and take part in the Holy Mass for the Jubilee of Pilgrims of the Archdiocese of Naples in Saint Peter’s Square ahead of the Pope’s release from hospital. Picture: Getty Images

The current hospitalisation, the longest in Francis’s papacy, has raised questions over who might lead the busy schedule of religious events leading up to Easter, the holiest period in the Christian calendar.

The Pope has missed the Angelus prayers — normally recited by the pontiff every Sunday — for five straight weeks, for the first time since his election in March 2013.

A group of nuns pray during a rosary prayer for the health of Pope Francis in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican City. Picture: AFP

The Vatican said earlier that the Pope’s appearance would follow the Angelus prayers.

Previously, the Vatican had said that Francis had suspended his use of an oxygen mask.

For most of the Pope’s hospital stay, including critical stages, the Vatican was publishing daily bulletins on the health of Francis, who had part of one lung removed as a young man.

Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin told reporters last week that he had noted an improvement in Francis’ health during a visit.

But asked whether the conversation had turned to the Pope’s resignation, he replied: “No, no, no, absolutely not.”

Catholics and others worldwide have been praying for his speedy recovery.

Many have been leaving flowers, candles and notes for Francis outside the Gemelli hospital