The situation was stable, but nothing suggested the Pope would return to the Vatican so soon.
Some of his collaborators had tried to send optimistic messages.
CARD. VICTOR M. FERNÁNDEZ
Prefect, Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith
Now the Pope is physically very well, almost as he was before the illness, except that now he must learn to speak again, in the sense that his voice lacks strength, as could be heard the other day.
Meanwhile, in the square, the faithful continued to pray for the Pope’s recovery.
On Saturday morning, the Vatican confirmed that the Pope would make his first public appearance. It would be from the hospital, on the occasion of the Angelus prayer he prays every Sunday in the square with thousands of faithful.
The announcement sparked excitement. Finally, the Pope would be able to be seen in person and his condition confirmed. However, what sparked the excitement was the announcement made by the doctors in a media appearance given a little over an hour's notice.
SERGIO ALFIERI
Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital (Rome)
Good afternoon. So… the good news that I imagine everyone is waiting for is that tomorrow the Holy Father will leave the hospital. He has been discharged. Tomorrow, the Holy Father will return to Santa Marta.
The doctors clearly acknowledged that, during his hospital stay, the Pope suffered critical respiratory problems that raised fears for his life.
At the same time, they indicated that the Pope is in the recovery phase and should therefore avoid strenuous activity.
SERGIO ALFIERI
Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital (Rome)
The prescription is to partially continue the drug therapy, which he will still need to take orally for a long time, and the recommendation of a rest period of at least two months is very important.
Following this announcement, 3,000 people, according to the Vatican, gathered in the Piazza del Gemelli to see the Pope in what would be his first public appearance. The emotion was overwhelming.
We saw him so close. It was… I'm so happy.
And the rest is already known. The Pope returned to his home, from where we will see how he governs the Church and how the Church, once again, accompanies a pope in a fragile state of health.
JRB
TR: GS
