Pope Francis: I’m still alive

“I wasn’t afraid, I’m still alive,” Pope Francis told journalists outside the clinic. The Easter celebrations would take place with him, he added. According to the Vatican, Francis is to lead the Mass in St. Peter’s Square on Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week and thus the most important week in the Christian calendar. However, he will be seated while a senior cardinal conducts the ceremony at the altar. Francis’ hospitalization had caused great concern among the faithful.

Before getting into the car that took him to the Vatican, Francis chatted with passers-by. He blessed a young couple and kissed them goodbye.

The head of the Catholic Church had been in the papal wing of the Roman university clinic since Wednesday afternoon after Francis complained of breathing difficulties. According to the Vatican, he was treated with antibiotics for infectious bronchitis, which led to a significant improvement. At first there was talk of a stay for planned examinations.

The state of health of the 86-year-old pope has been changing for some time. About a year ago, Francis broke his knee. That’s why he has been doing most of his appointments in a wheelchair since May. He also announced in January that his intestinal disease, diverticulitis, had returned. In 2021, Francis underwent surgery for intestinal inflammation at the Gemelli Clinic.

se/sti (kna, rtr, dpa, afp)