Pope Francis was released from hospital after three days of observation for a respiratory infection.
The 86-year-old pope was discharged from the Gemelli hospital in Rome on Saturday morning in good health.
When asked by reporters how he felt, Pope Francis joked: “Still alive!”
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Pope Francis waves from his car as he arrives at the Vatican on Saturday, April 1, 2023, after receiving treatment at the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital for bronchitis, the Vatican said. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
The ruler was hospitalized on Wednesday with breathing difficulties. He was later diagnosed with bronchitis and showed rapid improvement after receiving antibiotic infusion treatment.
Pope Francis met the sick and their loved ones before leaving the Gemelli Polyclinic, stopping to pray with the mother of a five-year-old boy who died the previous night.
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He took time to sign the cast on a boy’s arm before leaving, and also visited and thanked the hospital staff for their healthcare.
The Pope’s first stop on departure was the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where he prayed for the souls of those he met during his stay at the Gemelli Polyclinic.
He is expected to attend Psalm Sunday mass on April 2.
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Pope Francis embraces Serena Subania as her husband Matteo Rugghia (L), a couple who lost their five-year-old son the day before, reacts as the Pope leaves the Gemelli Polyclinic April 1, 2023 in Rome, after being discharged after his cures for bronchitis. (FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images)
Pope Francis continued to work in limited capacity during his three-day hospitalization, bringing chocolates, rosaries and children’s books about Jesus to the facility’s pediatric oncology ward.
On Friday, she also baptized a baby boy named Miguel Angel who was only a few weeks old.
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During his recovery, Pope Francis also sent a papal telegram to the Diocese of Nashville expressing condolences for the victims and those affected by the Covenant School shooting.
“Deeply saddened to learn of the recent shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville, His Holiness Pope Francis requests that you convey his deepest condolences and assurance of prayers to all affected by this senseless act of violence,” reads the telegram.
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Pope Francis addresses the media as he leaves the Gemelli Polyclinic on April 1, 2023, in Rome, after being discharged following treatment for bronchitis. (FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images)
The message continues: “He joins the whole community in mourning for the deceased children and adults and entrusts them to the loving embrace of the Lord Jesus”.
The papal telegram was forwarded to Bishop Mark Spalding by Archbishop Christophe PierreApostolic Nuncio to the United States.
The message concluded: “Likewise invoke the consolation and power of the Holy Spirit upon grieving families and pray that they may be confirmed in their faith in the power of the risen Lord to heal every wound and to bring good out of unspeakable evil.”
