Pope Francis to be released from hospital TOMORROW as docs say he nearly died from pneumonia & must now relearn to speak
POPE Francis is set to be discharged from hospital tomorrow after spending more than five weeks battling double pneumonia.
It comes as the Pontiff, 88, now has to relearn how to speak again following his serious health battle which left him “in danger of losing his life”, according to his doctors.
The Pope has been in hospital since February 14, during which time he has suffered numerous health problems including kidney failure and numerous respiratory crises.
Gemelli medical director Doctor Sergio Alfieri announced the positive news as he said the leader of the Vatican will now be released from hospital.
He still needs at least two months of rest and rehabilitation during his recovery, Alfieri added.
On Friday, the Vatican issued an update saying he was stable and showing “minor improvements in breathing and mobility”.
While no longer being on a mechanical ventilator, the Pope was still receiving oxygen through a nasal cannula.
On March 6, the public was given a rare glimpse into his health battle with the release of a brief audio clip of him speaking from his sick bed.
In it, the Pontiff sounded breathless, with a frail and broken voice, and was difficult to understand.
But, he was seen for the first time since his hospitalisation last Sunday as he attended Holy Mass in the hospital chapel.
The Vatican’s social media post read: “This morning #PopeFrancis concelebrated the Holy Mass in the chapel of the apartment on the tenth floor of the Policlinico Gemelli.”
Cardinal Fernandez admitted on Friday that the Pope still has a long road ahead, adding that it is not known when he might be discharged and allowed to return to the Vatican.
He noted that he did not know if it would be in time for Easter which is on April 20.
While those close to the Pope and The Vatican continue to deny rumours of any resignation, rivals have not.
French Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, who is tipped to be one of the contenders to replace Francis, said at a recent press conference that “everything is possible” when asked about such moves.
But, despite fears about his health, Francis has continued some of his work from his sickbed such as meeting with senior church members and conducting phone calls.
Initial rumours about him stepping down were sparked after it was revealed that the Pope had penned a resignation letter 12 years ago in case he became too ill to serve.
But Argentine journalist Elisabetta Pique, a friend and biographer of Francis, is adamant that the Pontiff will not step down.
“He’s always been a fighter. He doesn’t give in under pressure,” she said.
How will the next Pope be chosen?
THE next Pope is chosen through a process called a Papal Conclave, which takes place after the current Pope dies or resigns.
Here’s how it works:
- The College of Cardinals is summoned to the Vatican
- The cardinals meet in the Sistine Chapel and vote by a secret ballot
- They will prepare for the upcoming papal elections – called a conclave
- These Catholic leaders will vote once on the first days and four times a day on each additional day
- This vote will continue until one candidate gets two-thirds of the vote
- The nominee must then accept the offer and choose their new papal name
- This outcome will be confirmed to the public when white smoke burns out of the Sistine Chapel chimney