Pope Francis to be discharged from hospital today

Pope Francis will be discharged from Rome's Gemelli hospital today and will need at least two months of rest at the Vatican.

The 88-year-old was admitted to the hospital on the 14th of last month with a severe respiratory infection that resulted in double pneumonia.

Dr Sergio Alfieri, one of the doctors treating the Pope, said during the past five weeks, the Pope presented two very critical episodes where his life was in danger.

Dr Alfieri says Pope Francis was never intubated and always remained alert and oriented.

According to his doctors, the Pope is not completely healed, but no longer has pneumonia and is now in a stable condition.

The Pope will offer a blessing from his window at the Gemelli hospital today - the first time he will appear in public since he was admitted to the hospital - before returning to his residence at the Vatican.

The Vatican had said on Friday that the Pope had seen some improvements in his breathing and mobility.

It had confirmed he no longer uses mechanical ventilation for breathing at night but was instead receiving oxygen via a small tube under his nose.

During the day, he is using less high-flow oxygen.

The Pope has only been seen by the public once since he was admitted to the hospital, in a photograph released by the Vatican last week, which showed him praying in a hospital chapel.

Earlier this month, an audio recording of Pope Francis speaking in his native Spanish was played in St Peter's Square in Vatican City.

His voice was breathless as he thanked the Catholic faithful for their prayers.

Pope Francis has spent nearly 12 years as leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

He has suffered several health issues throughout his life, including having part of one of his lungs removed at age 21, making him more prone to infections.

[Source: BBC]