Vatican City – Pope Francis was discharged from Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Hospital on Sunday, March 23, 2025, and returned to his residence at Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican to continue his recovery following a five-week battle with bilateral pneumonia. The 88-year-old pontiff’s release was confirmed after notable medical progress, as announced by hospital officials.
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, head of the Gemelli Hospital medical team treating the pope, shared the update during a Saturday evening press conference. “The good news the world and everyone is waiting for is that tomorrow the Holy Father will be discharged. Tomorrow he will return to Santa Marta,” Alfieri said, joined by the pope’s personal physician, Dr. Sergio Carbone. He explained that the discharge followed “steady and rapid medical improvements in his clinical condition and the lifting of the prognosis.”
Francis was admitted on February 14 with an acute respiratory tract infection due to a polymicrobial infection, which led to bilateral pneumonia. “When the Pope was admitted to hospital, he was suffering an acute respiratory insufficiency due to a polymicrobial infection that resulted in bilateral pneumonia,” Alfieri stated, adding that this necessitated a combined pharmacological treatment. He confirmed that “the bilateral pneumonia has been successfully treated,” though “time is needed for a complete recovery.”
The pope faced two critical episodes during his hospitalization when his life was at risk. “He was given non-invasive mechanical ventilation and high-flow oxygen therapy, but he was never intubated and was always alert and oriented,” Alfieri clarified. He noted that a temporary “loss of voice” after the pneumonia and its treatment is normal, and Francis does not have diabetes.
Francis has been prescribed at least two months of convalescence at the Vatican, where he will receive medical care and rest. “The past week has seen significant improvements,” Alfieri said, expressing hope that with ongoing rehabilitation therapy, the pope could soon resume normal activities, though “this does not mean he will immediately be able to start meeting with people and groups as he did before.”
Alfieri described Francis as a “good and collaborative patient,” always following medical advice. He also said the pope “stayed in touch with current events, both church-related and political, and continued to dedicate himself to work activities” during his hospital stay. Alfieri emphasized that Francis is “happy to be discharged,” adding, “The best way to recover is to do so at home.”
The Vatican will provide medical support as Francis recovers at Casa Santa Marta, focusing on his gradual return to health.
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