Live Update | Pope Francis Waves from Gemelli Hospital Before Discharge

Pope Francis is set to wave from the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where he has been hospitalised since February 14 due to bilateral pneumonia. The Pontiff will appear on the balcony of his hospital room before being discharged and returning to Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican residence where he resides.

Sergio Alfieri, the surgeon who led the medical team attending to Francis, announced yesterday the "good news," although he emphasised that the Pope will need to remain in convalescence for at least "two months." During this period, he must continue with pharmacological therapy and rest, refraining from participating in large gatherings and other "important commitments." Consequently, it remains uncertain whether Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who is 88 years old, will be able to preside over the Easter celebrations, which begin in three weeks and are the most significant liturgical period of the year for Catholics alongside Christmas.

The Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, clarified that "it will be assessed" how the Pope progresses during convalescence before making "appropriate decisions" regarding his presence at the Holy Week ceremonies. Bruni also explained that this Sunday, Francis will greet and bless the faithful from the window of his room at Gemelli Hospital before departing for the Vatican.

"The Pope no longer has bilateral pneumonia, but he will need more time to overcome all the infections" he has had in his respiratory tract, insisted Alfieri, who, while reviewing the clinical course of the Bishop of Rome during these six weeks of hospitalisation, recalled that on two occasions he suffered "very critical episodes" where his life "was in danger." He also assured that the Pope was never intubated, remained "conscious and clear-minded," and that thanks to medication, high-flow oxygen, and non-invasive mechanical ventilation, a "slow and progressive improvement" was achieved, leading to the stabilisation observed over the past two weeks.

Luigi Carbone, the Vatican doctor who regularly attends to the Pontiff, revealed that the necessary preparations have been made at Casa Santa Marta to accommodate the Pope, who will need to continue receiving high-flow oxygen through nasal cannulas for part of the day. He will also continue with active motor physiotherapy and respiratory exercises that he has been doing in recent weeks at Gemelli, so that "as soon as possible, he can resume his normal activities."