Pope Francis to make first public appearance on Sunday after hospitalization

Catholic Pontiff Pope Francis is set to make his first public appearance in five weeks this Sunday, following a prolonged period of illness.

The 88-year-old pontiff will give his blessing and greet a crowd from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he has been recovering since February 14 after being admitted with breathing difficulties.

The Vatican announced on Friday that the Pope’s condition is improving, though he may need to “relearn to speak” due to the prolonged use of high-flow oxygen therapy.

Cardinal Victor Fernandez, head of the Vatican’s doctrinal office, stated, “The pope is doing very well, but high-flow oxygen dries everything out. He needs to relearn how to speak, but his overall physical condition is as it was before.”

Pope Francis has been recovering from double pneumonia and has only been seen publicly once since his hospitalization.

Last week, the Vatican released a photograph of him praying in the hospital chapel, marking his first appearance since February.

The Vatican confirmed that the Pope’s condition is stable, with improvements in breathing and mobility.

He no longer requires mechanical ventilation at night and is instead receiving oxygen through a small tube under his nose.

During the day, his reliance on high-flow oxygen has decreased. However, doctors have not provided a timeline for his discharge from the hospital.

Earlier this month, an audio recording of Pope Francis speaking in his native Spanish was played in St. Peter’s Square. In the recording, his voice sounded breathless as he thanked the Catholic faithful for their prayers.

Cardinal Fernandez dismissed speculation that Pope Francis might follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, and resign from the papacy.

When asked if the Pope could be discharged in time for Easter, which falls on April 20, the Cardinal said he did not know.

Pope Francis has led the Roman Catholic Church for nearly 12 years. Throughout his life, he has faced several health challenges, including the removal of part of his lungs at age 21, which has made him more susceptible to infections.

Meanwhile, Vatican says its holy father’s health has improved.

The Vatican in a statement on Wednesday, says Pope Francis is no longer using an oxygen mask to breathe at night.

It states also that his doctors believe he will continue to improve, the Vatican has said.

In the latest update on the pope’s health, the Vatican said that Francis is “improving” after spending more than one month in the hospital.

Francis, 88, had been using noninvasive mechanical ventilation overnight during his stay at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, Italy for a severe respiratory infection.

The statement added that while ventilation had been “suspended”, the pope still receives oxygen via a small plastic tube under his nose.

The Vatican press office also said that the pope’s doctors believe his infection is under control.

The press office added that the leader of the Catholic Church has no fever, and his blood tests are normal.

The update comes after the Vatican said on Monday that the pope had been spending short moments breathing alone.

While the pontiff’s condition has been stable or improving for the past two weeks, the Vatican has not given a timeframe for his possible discharge.

Britain’s King Charles announced on Tuesday that he and his wife, Queen Camilla, would travel to Italy and the Vatican in early April.

Currently, the royals are scheduled to meet Francis on April 8.

It is reported to be for an appointment typically organised in close coordination with senior Vatican officials.

Francis had been admitted to the hospital on February 14 after suffering from pneumonia in both lungs.

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During his stay in hospital, the pope has been receiving both respiratory physiotherapy to aid with breathing.

He has also been receiving physical therapy to help with knee and back pain.

On Sunday, the Vatican released the first image of Francis in hospital, showing him praying in a chapel.

The pope is prone to respiratory infections after he had pleurisy, a chest infection, and had part of one lung removed as a young man.

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