Vatican City: Pope Francis made his first public appearance in over five weeks on Sunday, waving from a balcony at Rome's Gemelli hospital before his expected discharge later in the afternoon. The 88-year-old pontiff had been hospitalized on February 14 due to a severe respiratory infection, marking the most serious health crisis of his 12-year papacy.
Doctors confirmed that while he no longer has pneumonia, he is still recovering from a complex infection involving multiple microorganisms. Medical experts have prescribed at least two months of rest at the Vatican for full recovery.
Sergio Alfieri, the head of the pope’s medical team, stated that Francis experienced four acute respiratory crises during his hospitalization, with two being critical. However, the pope was never intubated, instead using non-invasive ventilation through a mask.
Francis, who has struggled with knee and back pain, has also lost some weight during his hospital stay, though doctors assured that it is not a cause for concern. His voice remains weak, and he will need time to regain his full speaking ability.
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