Pope Francis discharged from hospital, returns to Vatican

Head of medical team now acknowledges Pope faced near-death experience

Massimiliano Strappetti, the nurse who is Pope Francis’ primary medical caregiver at the Vatican, adjusts a microphone for the Pope as he greets a crowd of well-wishers at Rome’s Gemelli hospital before returning to the Vatican March 23, 2025.

(CNA photo/Pablo Esparza)

By Philip A. Janquart

ICR Assistant Editor

Editor’s note: the following is an update concerning the medical condition of Pope Francis as of April 2, 2025.

Pope Francis signaled his continued healing and recovery with a wave and a “thumbs-up” as he sat in a wheelchair on the balcony of his Gemelli Hospital room, acknowledging a crowd of hundreds that gathered outside his window on Sunday, March 23.

He was later discharged after a 38-day stay due to pneumonia and other health issues.

The 88-year-old pontiff was showing “improvements’ in both his breathing and speech as a result of the triple therapy he is receiving—pharmacological, respiratory and physical—according to a Friday, March 28, Vatican report, which states he will continue to receive those treatments in Santa Marta, the Vatican guest house where he lives.

In a brief message during the midday Angelus on Sunday, March 30, the Pope shared that he is experiencing healing “in my soul and my body.”

The pontiff’s condition has been guarded since being admitted to Gemelli Hospital on Feb. 14 to undergo testing and treatment for bronchitis. He later developed bilateral pneumonia and received oxygen and blood transfusions.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) noted that Pope Francis faced a near-death experience on Feb. 28 during his stay at Gemelli Hospital. The USCCB cited a Mar. 25 interview with Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the coordinator of the Pope’s medical team, who said, “We were all aware that the situation (on Feb. 28) had deteriorated further and there was a risk that he might not make it.” The Holy Father’s condition had “deteriorated to the point where doctors considered halting his treatment to allow him to die peacefully.”

Dr. Alfieri said, “We had to make a choice between stopping and letting him go or pressing on and trying all the drugs and therapies we could, running the very high risk of damaging other organs. And in the end, we took that path.”

The USCCB noted that Pope Francis had delegated healthcare decisions to Massimiliano Strappetti, his personal healthcare assistant. Strappetti directed the hospital’s medical team to “try everything; don’t give up.”

“For days, we were risking damage to his kidneys and bone marrow, but we went ahead, and his body responded to the drugs, and his lung infection lessened,” Dr. Sergio Alfieri told media.

The Holy Father was prescribed a further two months of home rest to fully recover.

“I think that for the moment, only the most important issues will be submitted to the Pope, issues that require a decision on his part…so as not to tire him too much,” said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state. “Then, as he recovers, we will return to the normal rhythm.”

Pope Francis had been scheduled to celebrate Holy Mass at St. Peter’s Square for the Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care workers on April 6, followed by several Lenten season Masses, including Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Saturday Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday. He was also scheduled to celebrate Mass for the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis on April. 27.