Pope Francis offered a heartfelt thanks to a well-wisher holding yellow flowers just hours before leaving the hospital for what would be his final journey home.
The frail 88-year-old pontiff made a rare live appearance from his hospital window at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, blessing well-wishers who had gathered below, and singling out one woman for a personal tribute in March.
“Thank you, thank you – I see this lady with yellow flowers, very good, thank you,” Francis said, his voice thin but full of warmth as he gestured toward the woman in the crowd.
The touching moment came as Pope Francis continued his battle with severe double pneumonia – a life-threatening condition that doctors later admitted had twice brought him close to death.
His brief appearance was the first time he had been seen live since his admission to hospital on February 14, following weeks of silence broken only by a handful of recorded messages.
Just hours after the emotional blessing, Francis was discharged from Gemelli Hospital, seen smiling from the passenger seat of a modest Fiat as he was driven back to the Vatican. There, he would continue his long recovery, needing at least two more months of rest, rehabilitation, and close medical supervision.
Doctors at Gemelli Hospital revealed the seriousness of the pope’s illness for the first time, describing how Francis had battled a complex bacterial, viral, and fungal infection, leading to pneumonia in both lungs, anaemia, low blood platelets, and even signs of early kidney failure.
At one critical moment in late February, Francis suffered an acute coughing fit, inhaled vomit, and required urgent mechanical ventilation to keep him breathing – an ordeal that left his doctors fearing the worst.
“When he was in really bad shape, it was difficult for him to keep his spirits up,” said Dr Sergio Alfieri, the surgeon who led Francis’ medical team.
“But one morning we asked him how he was doing. When he replied, ‘I’m still alive,’ we knew he was ok – he had gotten his good humour back.”
Despite the trauma, the Argentine pope remained conscious and cooperative throughout his 38-day hospitalisation.
Even as he fought to recover, Francis never stopped thinking of others. In a reflection during Sunday’s Angelus message – delivered from his hospital suite – he spoke about his own experiences of patience, suffering, and trust in God’s love.
“During this long period of hospitalisation, I have had the opportunity to experience the patience of the Lord, which I also see reflected in the tireless care of doctors and health workers, as well as in the care and hopes of the relatives of the sick,” he said.
He also turned his thoughts to the world’s suffering, calling for an immediate halt to violence in Gaza and pleading for peace across war-torn regions including Ukraine, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“You are continuing to pray for me with great patience and perseverance: thank you very much! I pray for you too,” he told the gathered faithful.
Doctors said Pope Francis would continue to receive 24-hour medical care at his residence in the Santa Marta guesthouse next to St Peter’s Basilica. Though no longer needing a ventilation mask at night, he remained on supplemental oxygen during the day and would require medication for several months to treat lingering infections.
Nevertheless, his personal doctors remained cautiously optimistic. “The Holy Father is improving, and we hope soon he can resume his normal activity,” said Dr Luigi Carbone at the time.
But on Easter Monday, Francis died aged 88 at Domus Sanctae Marthae in Vatican City. His death was announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo, in a broadcast by Vatican Media and in a video statement two hours after his death.
His funeral took place this morning, with thousands taking to the streets for the moving service.
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