The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis has been cleared by doctors to leave the Rome hospital where he was being treated for bronchitis on Saturday.
it was further confirmed that that the pontiff had improved significantly to the extent that he had pizza with medical staff one evening and baptized a baby in the paediatrics ward.
According to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, Pope Francis will return home on Saturday and will be in St Peter’s Square for Palm Sunday Mass at the start of Holy Week, though he did not specify whether the pontiff would deliver the homily during the lengthy Eucharistic service.
Bruni said in a written statement on Friday night, “The medical team that is following His Holiness Pope Francis, after evaluating the outcome of tests carried out today and the favourable clinical recovery, has confirmed discharge” on Saturday.
Pope Francis, 86, was admitted to the hospital two days ago after complaining of breathing problems. According to his medical team, he was diagnosed with bronchitis and has responded well to an antibiotic infusion.
Bruni earlier in the day said that on Thursday evening, “Pope Francis had dinner, eating a pizza, together with all those who are assisting him in these days of the hospital stay,” including doctors, nurses, assistants, and Vatican security personnel.
The Vatican released a video showing the pope standing up and baptizing a baby in a hospital cot to highlight his improved health. In another photo, Pope Francis is seen handing an Easter egg to a young child.
Pope Francis, who celebrated the tenth anniversary of his pontificate earlier this month, has been plagued by a number of health issues in recent years.
Kingsley Sheteh Newuh
