LAST UPDATE | 22 Mar

POPE FRANCIS IS to be discharged from hospital tomorrow.

The 88-year-old pontiff has spent five weeks in hospital, where he has been treated for pneumonia and a respiratory infection.

The Pope’s doctor, Luigi Carbone, says the Pope is improving and hopes he can resume activities soon. They say it will take time for his voice to return to normal, and he will need at least two months to recover.

Despite serious fears for Francis’s health early in his hospitalisation, his condition has steadily improved. Last Sunday, the Vatican released the first image of Francis since his hospitalisation.

At a press conference held this evening, spokespersons for Francis said that he had not had Covid, and wanted to return home several days ago. However, his doctors decided that he should be discharged tomorrow.

The serious infections suffered by the Pope have been overcome, the Vatican representatives told journalists, but the overall infection is not completely healed, hence the need for convalescence.

“The Pope, at the time of his admission to Gemelli hospital, presented an acute respiratory failure that resulted in a severe, bilateral pneumonia that required a combined pharmacological treatment,” a representative said.

They added that during his hospitalisation, there were “two very critical episodes in which the Holy Father’s life was in danger.”

They added that he was never intubated, and always remained alert and orientated. Upon his returning home tomorrow, he will partially continue drug therapy and convalescence and have a rest period for at least two months.

“We are happy to say that tomorrow he will be at home.”

Tomorrow, Pope will give a brief blessing from the Gemelli at midday and then soon after return to the Santa Marta.

He is due to meet King Charles and Camilla next month, who are set to travel to the Vatican to celebrate the Jubilee Year. It is unconfirmed whether this meeting is set to go ahead.

Includes reporting by Diarmuid Pepper