After 38 days in the hospital battling double pneumonia and remaining largely out of the public eye, the 88-year-old pontiff made his first public appearance since February 14 and has returned to the Vatican. His doctors have prescribed additional rest to allow his body to fully heal, raising uncertainty about how often the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics will be seen in the coming weeks.
The pope left Rome's Gemelli hospital and returned to the Casa Santa Marta, a small residence at the Vatican that has been his home since his election in 2013. Constructed in 1996 as accommodation for cardinals during a papal conclave, Santa Marta features guest rooms across five floors, a small cafeteria, and a chapel, but it is generally closed to the public. In the time between conclaves, it primarily serves as a home for many priests who work at the Vatican, who possess special access.
The pope and his closest aides occupy a series of rooms on the building's second floor. In his private quarters, Francis has lived with relative independence, tending to many of his own needs and largely remaining out of the public eye. The Vatican has stated that no special arrangements have been made to assist him during his recovery, aside from the installation of an adjustable bed with electronic controls for easier access, as he has used a wheelchair in recent years.
Luigi Carbone, the vice director of the Vatican's healthcare service, informed reporters that Francis will continue to receive supplemental oxygen as needed. It remains uncertain how closely Francis will adhere to his doctors’ orders for two months of rest, given his history of working tirelessly.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the second-highest official at the Vatican, remarked that only the most important issues requiring the pope's decisions would be presented to him to avoid undue fatigue.
Even during his hospital stay, the pope continued to lead the global Church, appointing Catholic bishops worldwide and launching new initiatives for the institution. Typically, he holds at least two public events each week—an audience with pilgrims each Wednesday and a prayer in St. Peter’s Square each Sunday. During previous illnesses, he has maintained these appointments, sometimes through video links from Santa Marta when particularly unwell.
The Vatican has not disclosed details about the pope's upcoming agenda, which includes a scheduled meeting with Britain's King Charles and Easter celebrations on April 20. Parolin expressed hope that Francis would at least be able to greet the British monarch.
Originally from Argentina and the first pope from the Americas, Francis is notable for being the first pope in over a century to reside outside the Vatican's apostolic palace, the ornate Italian Renaissance building adjacent to St. Peter's Square. He prefers living at Santa Marta, where he is surrounded by other people. “I’m happy at Santa Marta because I have people around me,” he mentioned in an autobiography. “I’ll be there so long as God wishes.”