Pope returns to Vatican after five weeks in hospital and visit to St Mary Major

Today Pope Francis made his first public appearance in five weeks, coming to a balcony of Rome’s Gemelli Hospital to wave and give a blessing to the faithful who had gathered below.

He arrived in a wheelchair as the crowd, estimated at between 500 and 600 people, chanted his name and cheered.

Francis appeared rested but visibly fatigued by the effort, waving and giving a few thumbs up. When he asked for the microphone, he said he had spotted an elderly woman in the crowd holding a bouquet, adding in a raspy voice: “Thanks to everyone. I see a woman with yellow flowers, she’s great!” 

Pope Francis greeted the faithful from the second floor of Gemelli Hospital following the publication of his regular Angelus address, which is usually delivered in person from the window of the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. For the past six Sundays, he has issued the address in written form only, due to his health condition.

Prior to the blessing, he briefly greeted staff and senior management of the Catholic University and Gemelli Hospital.

He had been admitted to the hospital on February 14 for treatment of a complex respiratory infection and double pneumonia.

After giving the blessing following the publication of his address, the Pope was discharged at around 12.15pm local time.

His convoy initially delivered him to the Vatican in a white Fiat 500, but paused and appeared momentarily confused, before setting off again across the city to take him to the Basilica of St Mary Major – his favourite of the Roman basilicas and home to the famed icon Maria Salus Populi Romani, or Health of the Roman People.

Francis has previously said he wishes to be buried in the basilica, which he has visited before and after every international trip, and following each hospital stay since his election in 2013.

Doctors at a March 22 press conference announcing his discharge said the Pope had initially presented with “acute respiratory failure”, and experienced two respiratory crises during his 38-day hospitalisation which placed his life at risk.

However, the 88-year-old Pontiff has made what many consider to be a remarkable recovery, despite those close calls. He has been ordered by doctors to observe a two-month period of rest following his return to the Vatican today.

In his written Angelus address, the Pope focused on the theme of God’s patience, which he described as an invitation to believers to make their lives “a time of conversion”.

“Jesus uses the image of a barren fig tree, which has not yet borne the hoped-for fruit, but which, however, the farmer does not want to cut down,” he said, referring to the day’s Gospel reading from Luke.

Instead, the farmer says he will fertilise the tree again to see whether it bears fruit in the future. “This patient farmer is the Lord, who carefully works the soil of our life and confidently awaits our return to Him.”

Francis said that during his time in hospital, he was able personally to experience God’s patience, which he also saw expressed in the “tireless care” given to him and other patients by doctors and healthcare workers, as well as the families of the sick.

“This trusting patience, anchored in the love of God that never fails, is truly necessary in our lives, especially to face the most difficult and painful situations,” he said.

He expressed sadness at the resumption of “heavy Israeli bombings” in the Gaza Strip after a tenuous ceasefire agreement, lamenting the growing number of dead and wounded.

“I ask that weapons be silenced immediately,” he said, expressing hope that all parties would “have the courage to resume dialogue, so that all of the hostages are freed and a definitive ceasefire is reached”.

The Pope also lamented the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and expressed hope that a “serious and urgent commitment” would be made to alleviate it, both by the warring parties and the international community.

He welcomed the agreement on the final test of a peace accord between Armenia and Azerbaijan, voicing hope that the deal would be signed “as soon as possible” and lead to “a lasting peace” in the South Caucasus.

The Pope concluded his address by thanking the faithful for their patience and perseverance in praying for his health and recovery, saying he is also praying for them.

He ended with a plea for peace in nations at war, including Ukraine, Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

(Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

The post Pope returns to Vatican after five weeks in hospital and visit to St Mary Major first appeared on Catholic Herald.

The post Pope returns to Vatican after five weeks in hospital and visit to St Mary Major appeared first on Catholic Herald.