Pope Francis returned to the Vatican on Sunday after a serious 38-day hospital stay for double pneumonia—the most critical health scare of his 12-year papacy.
The 88-year-old pontiff made his first public appearance in over a month before leaving Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. Riding in a car accompanied by police, he made a brief detour to leave flowers at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, a church he deeply cherishes.
Though discharged, doctors say the pope needs two more months of rest and must avoid large gatherings and stressful meetings. During his brief hospital farewell, Francis appeared in a wheelchair, looking frail but smiling and waving to well-wishers. His voice was faint, and he wore visible bandages on both arms.
Among the crowd, one woman, 79-year-old Carmela Vittoria Mancuso—who had visited daily—was moved to tears after Francis acknowledged her gift of yellow flowers.
The pope had been hospitalized for bronchitis that worsened into a complex double pneumonia, resulting in four respiratory crises, two of which were life-threatening. He now breathes unaided but continues to use a nasal oxygen tube occasionally.
Despite his health struggles, Francis continued Church duties from his hospital room—appointing bishops and launching a major new reform process.
It remains unclear whether the pope will be fit to meet King Charles III on April 8 or lead Easter celebrations on April 20.