Pope Francis made his first brief appearance on Sunday over six weeks, appearing on the balcony of a Roman hospital, giving a greeting with hundreds of people gathered in the square in front of him. Frail, Francis gave a thumbs up.
“Thank you guys,” he said in a voice wis. The Pope later leaves the hospital and temporarily stops at the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore. Santa Maria Maggiore has an icon of the Virgin Mary, which he is dedicated to, headed to the guesthouse, where he lives in the Vatican.
“I see a woman with yellow flowers,” Francis said as she appeared on the balcony on the second floor after being taken to a wheelchair. “e'brava,” he said thanking the woman. He then sat down and waved his hands, as people cheered and waving the flag.
The Pope's voice was frail and harsh. This was supposed to be expected for patients who suffered severe lung and respiratory muscles, as explained at a press conference on Saturday.
People began to cheer and rhythmically applaud: “Francesco.”
“Long the Rope,” someone called for more cheers. A little more moment later, the Pope made the sign of the cross in blessings before returning to the hospital.
“He looks very weak. I know from the news that he still has two months to fully recover, but despite that, we see hope in this,” said Patricia Olivera, a Portuguese teacher who was in the crowd. “This Pope is our hope” helps us to “get over some of the things happening in our world and overcome the very scary things.”
Just a few weeks ago, there was a great concern that Francis might not recover from other respiratory infections from a pneumonia match where he was suffering from both lungs. His doctor spoke at a press conference at Polinico A. Gemeri Hospital on Saturday night, saying that the pope's pneumonia was so serious that he put his life in serious danger twice.
But the Pope received drug therapy and oxygen, bringing “slow and progressive improvements” to help him overcome the most important episodes, said Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the leader of the Pope's care team.
Like the past six weeks, Francis did not convey the traditional Sunday blessings of Angelus, normally given by the Apostles' Palace overlooking St. Peter's Square.
“I'm so happy he's recovered and I hope he can fully recover,” said Priscilla Wangari, a Franciscan nun sister from Kenya, who was outside the hospital. She said she attended the evening rosary on St. Peter's Square to pray for the restoration of the Pope. “We love him because the church needs him. He has to shepherd his people,” she added.
He soon left the hospital and returned to Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican guesthouse where he lives, where he recovered for another two months. Doctors said Saturday that Frances should avoid unnecessary efforts and meetings with large groups and people with small children to minimize the chances of further infections.
Dr. Luigi Carbon, a Vatican-based physician in Frances, said the Pope's residence was well equipped to address his medical needs and emergency services are available around the clock.
Francis entered the hospital on February 18th due to acute breathing deficiency caused by a viral or bacterial infection. His doctors said Saturday that the pope had never been intubated during his hospitalization and remained wary and conscious.
Francis was in a severe crisis for weeks after experiencing an asthma respiratory crisis. Early mild kidney failure; and bronchial convulsions that caused him to inhale his vomit after coughing. He used non-invasive mechanical ventilation at night and high-flow oxygen therapy during the day.
The Vatican said in a statement that Francis had met temporarily with hospital staff on Sunday morning.
Doctors argued that Francis, who had maintained a strict schedule before his illness, should take it easily for at least two months.
“It's clear that recovery periods are by definition a phase of recovery, so during the recovery periods, you can't carry out the daily activities of meeting people as he was used to,” Dr. Carbone said.
“We saw him in September, and we definitely see the decline since September,” said Carlos Aguirre, a Colorado Springs construction worker who came to the hospital as part of a group of American Catholic pilgrims. He said he was happy to see Francis restored. “It's God's will. If he comes out, it means that God still has a plan for him,” he said.
