Shortly after offering a blessing from his Gemelli hospital window in Rome yesterday, his first public appearance since 14 February, 88-year-old Pope Francis was discharged from hospital.
The BBC reports the doctors say he will need at least two months of rest at the Vatican. Even though the Pope is not completely healed, he no longer has pneumonia and will return to work as soon as possible, if the trend continues, doctors say.
Dr Sergio Alfieri, one of the doctors treating the Pope, is quoted as saying that, during the past five weeks, the ponfitff presented “two very critical episodes” where his “life was in danger”.
Pope Francis was never intubated and always remained alert and oriented, Dr Alfieri said.
In the crowd gathered outside the Gemelli hospital in Rome yesterday, waiting for the Pope to appear was Ana Matos, who had just arrived from Brazil. She had got to the hospital 30 seconds before the pontiff appeared. She said that “it was an amazing feeling, like when I had my son. I was so happy to see him healthy and I could see him smile”. [Image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/photosmartinschulz/15875462075/in/photostream/