Pope Francis, who has been in the hospital since February 14 for a bronchitis that led to bilateral pneumonia, is now out of danger. Cardinal Victor Manuel "Tucho" Fernandez, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and a person very close to Francis, spoke yesterday about the Pontiff's health. He assured that he has been in contact with him and that the Pope "is physically very well", although he will need "a rehabilitation because a long time with high flow oxygenation dries everything and you almost have to relearn how to speak". He is fatigued when he speaks, but "the general state of his organism is as before".
After five weeks in the Gemelli Polyclinic, it is evident that the Pontiff would like to return to the Vatican, although Fernandez pointed out that there is still no date for his return home. When asked by a journalist if he will return to preside over the Easter ceremonies, he commented: "He would like to return, but the doctors want to be one hundred percent sure and prefer to wait a bit". He added that Francis "has his way of living, he wants to give everything and the little time he has left he wants to use it 'not to cure myself'. And then, what happens, he comes back here and it is not easy for him to follow the advice".
So much so, that Fernandez pointed out the "pressure" to which Peter's successor had to be subjected to accept his hospital admission: he "did not want to go to the hospital, he was convinced by some very close friends". The argument? "You have to go, otherwise we will cut off this relationship, that's how they convinced him".
The cardinal and theologian explained that the situation is not easy for the Argentinean Pope, who is used to an intense rhythm of pastoral work: "Imagine how heavy it is for him; he is one of those guys from other times, who have an immense strength, a capacity for sacrifice, for giving meaning to these dark moments".
At the same time, he commented that the 88-year-old Pontiff's life should change when he returns, entering a new stage of the pontificate, ruling out the possibility of resignation: "he is a man of surprises and surely he will have learned many things in this month and who knows what will come out of the galley... Even knowing that this means a very heavy effort for him, a difficult moment, I know it will be fruitful for the Church and the world".
The Holy See press room reported that Pope Francis intends to appear tomorrow from his apartment in the hospital. Gemelli at the end of the Angelus for a brief greeting and blessing. It would be his first public appearance since February 14.
