In his first appearance in over a month, Pope Francis gave his blessing to the faithful at Gemelli Hospital. The Holy Father charmed the ones in attendance who were incredibly moved by his show of strength and resilience. Francis will now spend two months of convalescence at his residence in the Vatican.
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According to Aleteia, Pope Francis greeted everyone outside Gemelli Hospital from the hospital's fifth floor. Although his room is located on the tenth floor, he decided to make an appearance on the fifth floor's balcony. He greeted everyone and gave his blessing, to the delight of the ones who had stayed there, praying for the Pontiff.
"Thank you, everyone," he told the crowd. In a very touching moment, the Pope reacted to a bouquet of yellow roses, carried by a 72-year-old woman called Carmela Mancuso. "I see the woman with the yellow roses! She is great," Francis added.
In a video shared by Salvatore Cernuzio, a Vatican journalist, Mancuso appeared deeply moved by the Holy Father's acknowledgment. "I don't know what to say, I didn't think I was so 'seen'. I hope the Holy Father returns among us as before," Mancuso said.
Convalescence
As per Aleteia, the Pope will spend the next two months in convalescence at this residence in the Vatican. This announcement comes at the Pope's 38th day of hospitalization. Dr. Sergio Alfieri, who was Francis's doctor at Gemelli Hospital, and Luigi Carbone, the Pope's Vatican referring physician.
"For three or four days he had been asking us, 'When can I go home?'" they said during a press conference. They would also reveal that "the most serious infections have been resolved.
Given his period of convalescence, according to both physicians, Pope Francis "will not be able to carry out his usual activities." Alfieri added, however, that the Pontiff was able to be morally strong throughout his hospitalization.
"After he had had a bad time, we asked him: 'Holy Father, how are you?'" Alfieri said. "When he replied: 'I'm still alive!' we understood that he had also regained his good humor."
In his weekly Angelus statement, Pope Francis reflected upon the work of his doctors and the medical staff at Gemelli Hospital. As usual, he also was appreciative of the prayers the faithful had been saying for him.
"In this long period of my hospitalization, I have had the opportunity to experience the Lord's patience, which I also see reflected in the tireless care of the doctors and healthcare workers, as well as in the care and hopes of the relatives of the sick," the Pope wrote. "This trusting patience, anchored in God's unfailing love, is indeed necessary in our lives, especially when facing the most difficult and painful situations."
"You are continuing to pray for me with great patience and perseverance: thank you very much! I pray for you too."
