Pope Francis Expresses Gratitude to Medical Team Amid Ongoing Recovery
Pope Francis Expresses Gratitude to Medical Team Amid Ongoing Recovery
Vatican City — Pope Francis held an audience with approximately 70 doctors, nurses, and hospital staff from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Wednesday, expressing heartfelt thanks for their care during his recent battle with double pneumonia. The 88-year-old pontiff, who was discharged from the hospital on March 23 after a 38-day stay, acknowledged the critical role the medical team played in his recovery. “Thank you, thank you for everything you have done,” Francis said in a raspy voice. “I pray for you, I hope you do the same for me.”
The Vatican had previously announced that Pope Francis would not lead the major Easter services this year, delegating several cardinals to preside over the ceremonies. It remains uncertain whether he will attend any Easter festivities, though he may still offer a blessing. His brief statements to the hospital staff were among the most public remarks he has made since his release from the hospital.
Doctors revealed that the pontiff’s illness was so severe that he nearly died on two occasions. He was admitted to the hospital on February 14 with bronchitis that developed into pneumonia in both lungs. Since returning to the Vatican, Francis has been convalescing in the guesthouse where he lives, gradually increasing appointments in his daily routine. Along with daily physiotherapy, both motor and respiratory, he has begun to meet with top Vatican officials on a regular basis and has been working on texts and documents.
Despite medical advice to rest for at least two months, the pope has made a couple of surprise appearances during recent Sunday Masses in St. Peter’s Square. He also took a spin in his wheelchair through St. Peter’s Basilica last week in street clothes and met privately with King Charles III and Queen Camilla of Britain. However, he has not celebrated any public Mass.
During the Easter weekend, several cardinals will lead the major services in place of the pope. Cardinal Baldo Reina, the pope’s vicar general of Rome, will preside over the Via Crucis, the reciting of the Stations of the Cross describing Christ’s crucifixion, with meditations written by Francis. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside over the Easter Vigil, and Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the pope’s vicar emeritus of Vatican City, will preside over the Easter Sunday Mass.
The audience at the Vatican on Wednesday included around 70 people from the Gemelli hospital, including kitchen staff, as well as the Vatican’s in-house medical staff, who had assisted the pope during his most difficult moments. “Thank you for the service in the hospital, it was very good, keep it up,” he said, breathing heavily.
Francis is slowly regaining his ability to speak, which was hampered after weeks of hospitalization during which his respiratory and vocal muscles weakened. That can occur as a result of a “serious pneumonia in both lungs, including the lung tissue,” like Francis had, said Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the doctor who heads the pope’s medical team. “It can take months for the voice to recover,” he said.
“He hasn’t fully healed yet,” he added. Because the pope is an older patient, it will take time for him “to recover his forces, his voice, his mobility,” Dr. Alfieri said. “It’s clear to everyone that he’s getting better; then we’ll see whether he recovers 100 percent or 95 percent with respect to before,” he said.
Daniele Franco, the president of the Gemelli hospital foundation, told Francis that they were all happy to see him getting better and that the staff hoped to see him at the hospital soon, not as a patient, but “to visit our patients, above all those who are least well.” Francis nodded and smiled. “One word of comfort from you,” Mr. Franco said, “would be of great help to them and their families.”
As the Vatican approaches a busy religious calendar, including six major celebrations over four days culminating in Easter Sunday, it remains uncertain how involved the pope will be. Senior cardinals are expected to preside over key services, including Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. Despite his absence, Francis’s written reflections and occasional messages are being shared during Vatican celebrations. Many within the Church view his frailty and perseverance as a poignant and inspirational element of the season, underscoring themes of suffering and renewal.