ROME, Italy — Pope Francis make him first public appearance since e enter Gemelli hospital for treatment on February 14. Di 88-year-old pontiff wave to plenty faithful wey gather outside di hospital window on Sunday, before him discharge.
As e show face, di Pope smile and wave, e even shout, “I see dis woman with yellow flowers. Brava!” His voice was weak, but di crowd respond with shouts of “Viva il papa!” and “Papa Francesco!” Di faithful dey celebrate as dem witness di remarkable recovery of di Pope, who don spend five weeks for hospital.
“E dey emotional to find hope wey di Pope dey bring us again,” Giulia Gianarelli, one Rome resident talk. Di Pope been admitted to di hospital for serious respiratory infection, wey be di most serious health issue during him 12-year papacy.
Doctors say dat after him hospitalization, he needs at least two months to rest for di Vatican. Dr. Sergio Alfieri, one of di doctors wey dey treat di Pope, confirm say him recovery done dey stable, though him voice go take time to return to normal.
“Patients wey get double pneumonia go lose dem voice small, especially for elderly people. E go take time for di voice to come back,” Dr. Alfieri explain.
Even as di Pope dey go back to di Vatican, doctors urge say he go need rehabilitation and to be careful with social engagements. “Him suppose no meet big groups or put pressure on himself,” Dr. Alfieri caution.
During di hospital stay, di Pope no get intubated. He remain alert and active, and for di public appearance on Sunday, he wave goodbye to di hospital staff before him leave.
Earlier, di Vatican release audio of di Pope thanking di Catholic faithful in Spanish. His voice sound breathless but full of gratitude. “I appreciate all di prayers,” Francis talk.
Pope Francis don suffer several health issues for him life, including surgery to remove part of one lung at di age of 21, making him more susceptible to infections.
As di Vatican don dey prepare for him return, pilgrims flock to St. Peter’s Basilica, celebrating di end of a worrying chapter for many Catholics around di world. “Dis discharge dey bring joy and hope,” Grazia Mara, one Italian, reflect.
Di Pope go still dey receive medical care and willingly use oxygen as dem dey monitor him recovery. Di healing process dey expected to be gradual, but hope dey high as di faithful await him full comeback.
