After spending 38 days in the hospital for breathing difficulties, double pneumonia, and infections, Pope Francis greeted hundreds of people who gathered outside the hospital on March 23.
With a very weak voice, Pope Francis thanked the crowd, waving his hands and giving a thumbs up. An aide had pushed Pope Francis in his wheelchair onto the balcony overlooking the square outside the hospital. Roughly 600 people had gathered at the hospital, including Rome’s Mayor Roberto Gualtieri. Hundreds of people also gathered in front of video screens in St. Peter’s Square to see the pope for the first time since he was hospitalized on Feb. 14.
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, head of the medical team treating the pope, said the pope will continue using oxygen as needed through a nasal tube, will be taking medication to fight a lingering mycosis, a fungal infection, and will be continuing his physical therapy and respiratory therapy.
The doctors have prescribed two months of rest and recuperation and have urged the pope not to meet with large groups during that time. They also said his voice will require time to recover.