Pope Francis to be released from hospital

Pope Francis is set to be discharged from hospital after spending more than five weeks battling double pneumonia.

Pope Francis is set to be discharged from hospital after spending more than five weeks battling double pneumonia.

It comes as the Pontiff, 88, now has to relearn how to speak again following his serious health battle which left him “in danger of losing his life”, according to his doctors, The Sun reports.

The Pope has been in hospital since February 14, during which time he has suffered numerous health problems including kidney failure and numerous respiratory crises.

Gemelli medical director doctor Sergio Alfieri announced the positive news as he said the leader of the Vatican will now be released from hospital.

He still needs at least two months of rest and rehabilitation during his recovery, Dr Alfieri added.

On Friday, the Vatican issued an update saying he was stable and showing “minor improvements in breathing and mobility”.

While no longer being on a mechanical ventilator, the Pope was still receiving oxygen through a nasal cannula.

On March 6, the public was given a rare glimpse into his health battle with the release of a brief audio clip of him speaking from his sick bed.

In it, the Pontiff sounded breathless, with a frail and broken voice, and was difficult to understand.

But, he was seen for the first time since his hospitalisation last Sunday as he attended Holy Mass in the hospital chapel.

Pope Francis faces a long recovery. Picture: by Tiziana Fabi/AFP

The Vatican’s social media post read: “This morning #PopeFrancis concelebrated the Holy Mass in the chapel of the apartment on the tenth floor of the Policlinico Gemelli.”

Cardinal Fernandez admitted on Friday that the Pope still has a long road ahead, adding that it is not known when he might be discharged and allowed to return to the Vatican.

He noted that he did not know if it would be in time for Easter which is on April 20.

While those close to the Pope and the Vatican continue to deny rumours of any resignation, rivals have not.

French Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, who is tipped to be one of the contenders to replace Pope Francis, said at a recent press conference that “everything is possible” when asked about such moves.

Pope Francis recently attended Holy Mass in the hospital chapel. Picture: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

But, despite fears about his health, Pope Francis has continued some of his work from his sickbed such as meeting with senior church members and conducting phone calls.

Initial rumours about him stepping down were sparked after it was revealed that the Pope had penned a resignation letter 12 years ago in case he became too ill to serve.

But Argentine journalist Elisabetta Pique, a friend and biographer, is adamant that the Pontiff will not step down.

“He’s always been a fighter. He doesn’t give in under pressure,” she said.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and has been republished with permission

Originally published as Pope Francis to be released from hospital