Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, is due to be discharged from Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Hospital on Sunday, 23 March 2025, after a serious illness that kept him under medical care for over a month. The 88-year-old pontiff has been battling a tough respiratory infection and pneumonia in both lungs since mid-February. On Sunday, he’ll return to his home at Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican to rest and recover further. Before leaving, he plans to greet and bless people from a hospital window at noon during the Angelus prayer.

A Challenging Illness
The Pope’s health troubles began on 14 February 2025, when he was rushed to hospital with what doctors called an “acute respiratory insufficiency.” This was caused by a nasty infection involving different germs, which led to bilateral pneumonia—a condition where both lungs get inflamed and struggle to work properly. Dr Sergio Alfieri, the head of the hospital’s medical team treating the Pope, spoke to reporters on Saturday evening about his condition. Flanked by the Pope’s personal doctor, Sergio Carbone, Alfieri shared some good news: “Tomorrow, the Holy Father will be discharged and head back to Santa Marta.”

The Pope’s recovery has been steady and surprisingly quick, according to Alfieri. When he arrived at the hospital, he was in a serious state, struggling to breathe properly. The team used a mix of medicines, oxygen therapy, and a special breathing machine that didn’t require a tube down his throat. Despite two scary moments when his life hung in the balance, Pope Francis stayed awake and aware throughout. Alfieri confirmed that the pneumonia is now under control, though the Pope still needs time to get back to full strength.

Recently, this hasn’t been the Pope’s only health scare. In December 2024, he cancelled several public events due to a bad cold and fatigue, raising concerns about his frailty as he approaches his 89th birthday. That illness came shortly after a tiring trip to Asia, which might have weakened him further before this latest battle with pneumonia. His history of respiratory issues—he had part of one lung removed as a young man due to an infection—makes these episodes particularly worrying for the Vatican and his followers worldwide.

What’s Next for the Pope?
Doctors have told Pope Francis to take it easy for at least two months. This means plenty of rest and ongoing medical check-ups at home. While his health is improving, he won’t be jumping back into his usual busy schedule straight away. Before his illness, he was known for meeting people, leading prayers, and speaking to crowds almost daily. For now, that’s on hold. Alfieri explained, “He’s getting better every day, but it’s too soon to say he’ll be meeting groups like before.”

Even in hospital, the Pope has been a model patient. Alfieri praised him for following the doctors’ advice without complaint. He also kept up with the news—both about the Church and the wider world—and carried on with some work from his hospital bed. At one point, he lost his voice, which Alfieri said is normal after pneumonia and its treatment. Thankfully, it’s coming back, and the doctor was quick to dismiss rumours, saying, “No, he doesn’t have diabetes.”

A Positive Outlook
The Pope is said to be cheerful about going home. “The best way to recover is at home,” Alfieri noted, echoing what many doctors believe. Once back at Casa Santa Marta, he’ll continue rehabilitation exercises to rebuild his strength. The hope is that he’ll soon be able to return to his normal duties, like leading services and guiding the Church’s 1.3 billion followers.

For now, though, the focus is on rest. The Vatican hasn’t said much about who will step in for the Pope’s public roles during this time, but his discharge is a relief to many who’ve been praying for his recovery. This latest illness has shone a light on his resilience—and his determination to keep going despite his age and fragile health.

A Leader Loved Worldwide
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, has been Pope since 2013. Known for his simple lifestyle and focus on helping the poor, he’s won hearts around the globe. His recent health struggles have reminded everyone of his human side, but his spirit remains strong. As he heads home on Sunday, the faithful will be watching closely, hoping to see him back in St Peter’s Square before long, waving from his famous window with that familiar smile.

  Catholic Church, Media, Pope Francis