The world held its breath for the Pope. The Curia sharpened their knives between conclave drums and some prelates began the pools by unashamedly announcing candidates. But Francisco, true to his spontaneous and ordinary style, ate pizza for dinner and absentmindedly chatted with his co-workers. That could sum up the end of the hospital procedure that locked the 86-year-old pope in a medical center in Rome for four days because of a respiratory infection. This Friday morning, the Office of Communications of the Holy See issued a statement putting an end to the uncertainty “generated by the communicative confusion of the Holy See itself” and assuring that Francisco will be back at his residence on Saturday in Santa Marta , in the Vatican.
The statement, sent to journalists just before 1 p.m., reiterates that the Pope “spent a good day yesterday, with a normal clinical evolution.” Something that was already known from the last report. But he also recreates the gastronomic details of the night before, which would also confirm that even parents don’t like hospital food. “In the evening the Pope had dinner and took pizza with everyone who is helping him in the hospital during these days of convalescence: the doctors, nurses, assistants and gendarmerie staff were present with the Holy Father.”
Things, the note said, were going on well. Because in the morning he read several newspapers – usually he says he only reads Il Messaggero, the most important daily newspaper in Rome – and went back to work. In addition, the short document ensures that based on the results of the latest tests, the return to Santa Marta is scheduled for Saturday.
The Holy See reported Thursday that he had been diagnosed with infectious bronchitis – until then it was a “respiratory infection” – and was receiving antibiotics intravenously. The therapy showed “the expected effects with a noticeable improvement in his state of health,” said the Vatican spokesman. For this reason there was talk in the Vatican last night that Francis was expecting a medical discharge “in the next few days” and that this would probably come true this Saturday.
The medical discharge, confirmed by Holy See spokesman Matteo Bruni, will allow the Pope to attend Holy Week celebrations. This was announced by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re. But as has been happening for some months, even at the funeral of Benedict XVI, Francis will only preside and read the homily or the messages as predictably as he usually delivers on Good Friday at the end of the Via Crucis, in the Roman Colosseum . That means he won’t be in charge of the celebrations, other cardinals will. The reason for this forced background in the liturgy is actually the limited mobility he has been exposed to lately due to his knee problems.
The evolution of the pope’s health and his knee will now mark the opportunity to fulfill the remaining commitments on his agenda. You should consider beforehand whether you will keep your promise to visit Hungary for three days at the end of April.
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