Doctors say pope can be discharged from hospital

ROME (CNS) — The medical team at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, after evaluating the results of Pope Francis’ latest tests, confirmed he can be discharged April 1.

The 86-year-old pope had been showing continued and “marked” improvement for what tests revealed was a case of bronchitis, after he was admitted to the hospital the afternoon of March 29 for breathing difficulties. The pope was treated with intravenous antibiotics for the respiratory infection that was not COVID-19.

Pope Francis used his final full day in the hospital, March 31, to visit children hospitalized in the oncology ward and to confer the sacrament of baptism on a tiny infant named Miguel Angel.

Pope Francis gives a chocolate Easter egg to a patient in the pediatric oncology ward of Rome’s Gemelli hospital March 31, 2023. The Vatican said the pope spent about half an hour on the ward the afternoon before he was scheduled to be released from Gemelli after being treated for bronchitis. (CNS photo/Holy See Press Office)

The child, who was just a few weeks old, was sleeping peacefully in a portable hospital bassinet as the pope and the mother prepared for the sacrament and medical staff looked on. The Holy See press office provided a video of the baptism and other images of the pope’s visit to the pediatric ward.

The pope was given a small metal emesis basin filled with water. Reciting the baptismal formula in Spanish, he sprinkled the water with his hand on the baby, who loudly protested the sudden shower. He urged the mother to go ahead and try and comfort the infant while the pope made his own attempts by soothing the child’s face and tapping his mouth.

The pope wrote out by hand the baptismal certificate as seen in another image, which also showed the pope’s left wrist wrapped in gauze and an elastic bandage.

Matteo Bruni, director of the press office, said the baby was not a patient on the oncology ward, but was at the hospital for tests.

The pope spent about 30 minutes visiting the ward, bringing the children rosaries, large chocolate Easter eggs and copies of the book “Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea.”

He also addressed the medical personnel who were present, the Vatican press office said in an evening communique March 31, saying his thoughts were with “all those who help alleviate physical illnesses and the worries of those who, on a daily basis, are called to witness the cross of Christ.” He expressed his gratitude “for their self-sacrifice and spirit of service.”

That afternoon the pope also prayed in the chapel of the suite of rooms set aside for the pope on the 10th floor of the hospital and received the Eucharist.

The evening before, the pope enjoyed a pizza “party” with staff on his second night at Rome’s Gemelli hospital.

In the evening of March 30, “Pope Francis had dinner, eating pizza together with those assisting him throughout the days of his hospital stay,” that is, doctors, nurses, assistants and members of the Vatican police, the Vatican press office said earlier March 31.

After breakfast on March 31, “he read some newspapers and resumed work,” it said.

Matteo Bruni, head of the press office, confirmed the 86-year-old pope’s “presence” at the Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square April 2.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, said, “With the pope at each celebration, there will be a cardinal celebrant who will be at the altar,” the Italian newspaper, La Repubblica reported March 31.

According to Cardinal Re, Cardinal Leonardo Sandri will be the main celebrant at the Palm Sunday Mass and Cardinal Re will be the main celebrant at Easter morning Mass, although the pope will read his traditional message and give his blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world).