After spending 39 days at the Gemelli Polyclinic, the Holy Father was discharged, greeting and blessing the hundreds of faithful waiting at the hospital’s entrance, calling his name and applauding with joy at the Supreme Pontiff’s departure.
During his address, the Pope dedicated a few words to Carmela, “the lady with the yellow flowers,” who, since his hospitalization on February 14, had been faithfully present in the chain of intercession and prayer for the Holy Father. This prayer initiative took place especially at the hospital’s entrance and also in St. Peter’s Square.
WITH FLOWERS TO SAINT MARY MAJOR 2lv4u
Afterward, the Pope also greeted the medical staff who had cared for him during this period. He then proceeded to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major before returning to Santa Marta, where he prayed before the Salus Populi Romani icon in thanksgiving for his protection.
The Holy See’s Press Office reported that the Pope entrusted Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, coadjutor archpriest of the Basilica, with the task of placing flowers at the feet of the Marian icon, to which the Holy Father is deeply devoted.
PERIOD OF RECOVERY 4c4v19
For nearly 40 days, Pope Francis remained hospitalized at the Gemelli Polyclinic for the treatment of acute respiratory insufficiency caused by a multi-microbial infection that developed into severe bilateral pneumonia, requiring a combination of medications.
As reported yesterday, March 22, by the doctors in charge of the Pope’s treatment—Dr. Sergio Alfieri (head of the medical team at the Polyclinic) and Dr. Luigi Carbone (the Holy Father’s personal physician)—the Pope faced and overcame “two critical episodes in which his life was at risk.”
Given the Holy Father’s stable clinical condition over the past two weeks, the doctors have discharged him, allowing him to continue his prescribed recovery at his residence. He will continue partial pharmacological treatment with a recommended rest period of at least two months.
