Pope Francis Discharged from Hospital After Life-Threatening Condition

Tue Oct 21 2025 13:26:09 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Pope Francis was recently discharged from the Agostino Gemelli hospital in Rome after a challenging recovery from pneumonia that posed serious health risks.

After 38 days of hospitalization, Pope Francis, aged 88, has returned to the Vatican, with medical experts describing his recovery as miraculous. His doctor, Dr. Sergio Alfieri, recounted the tumultuous journey leading up to the pontiff's discharge, detailing moments when the pope faced critical breathing crises and deteriorating health conditions. He revealed that intensive treatment was required to combat severe pneumonia in both lungs, which resulted in the pope's oxygen levels dropping dangerously low.

Initially, Pope Francis resisted hospitalization but ultimately, with the support of his medical team, he agreed to undergo aggressive treatment, avoiding intubation. This decision was pivotal as it allowed him to be an active participant in his care, despite facing significant risks from the medications used. Following a substantial recovery, he is advised to adopt a more gentle lifestyle moving forward to ensure full healing.

As he returns to leading the Roman Catholic Church, Dr. Alfieri emphasized the importance of rest and cautioned the pontiff to make lifestyle changes necessary for a successful recovery, underlining the miraculous nature of his discharge.