Pope Francis expresses gratitude to the medical team in visible signs of fragility

Pope Francis met at the Vatican with the 70 health professionals who accompanied him during the hospitalization at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome. In a hoarse and visibly debilitated voice, the Pontiff thanked the “excellent service” and encouraged them to continue the “good job.”

Received with applause in the Paulo VI room, the Pope arrived in a wheelchair and remained about 20 minutes with the medical team. In February with bronchitis, he was later diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia and remained hospitalized until March – in what was the longest of his four hospitalizations since the beginning of the pontificate in 2013.

Despite the discharge, Francisco is expected to stay at rest at Casa Santa Marta over the next two months.