Even though its focus was mainly scientific, a Vatican-sponsored conference on aging and longevity could not ignore the ongoing convalescence of 88-year-old Pope Francis.

Pope Francis’ love for poetry is not just a personal interest but a key to understanding his vision of faith and humanity, said speakers at the presentation of a new book collecting the pope’s reflections on poetry and literature.

The same day Pope Francis was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli hospital after a five-week stay for treatment for double pneumonia, a group of Vatican doctors took their Lenten alms initiative a step further and helped provide medical care to a group of migrants.

In his last written message from Rome’s Gemelli hospital before returning to the Vatican, Pope Francis greeted bishops and the faithful from the Archdiocese of Naples on their Holy Year pilgrimage.

Immediately before leaving Rome’s Gemelli hospital after more than five weeks of treatment for breathing difficulties, double pneumonia and infections, Pope Francis greeted hundreds of people who gathered outside the hospital March 23.

Pope Francis will return to his residence in the Vatican March 23 after spending 38 days in Rome’s Gemelli hospital for treatment of double pneumonia, his doctors announced.

Pope Francis continues to show small signs of improvement and spends his days following through on all his therapies, doing some light work and praying, according to the Vatican press office.

The papal preacher urged cardinals and senior officials of the Roman Curia to remain firmly anchored in Christ through lives of humility, conversion and fidelity, especially during the Holy Year, a time meant to rekindle Christian hope.

Catholic theologians and other experts discussed the impact of Pope Francis’ pontificate on issues, particularly migration, as the pope remained in the hospital during a March 19 panel hosted by the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University.

Students around the world now have a chance to be an explorer-restorer of the 519-year-old basilica thanks to a new online educational opportunity created by Minecraft Education, Microsoft’s game-based learning platform, and with the help of St. Peter’s Basilica and Vatican City State.