These signs suggest that Pope Francis could be released soon

On February 14, Pope Francis was admitted to Gemelli Hospital to treat a serious respiratory infection. The 88-year-old pontiff's stay has since been marked by two days of crises that have testified to his fragility.

But on March 10, the Pope's doctors lifted their “reserved” prognosis on the health of the Bishop of Rome. A Vatican source commented that this was a sign that the Pope was no longer in “imminent danger.”

However, more than a week later, the doctors have still not set a date for the end of hospitalization. A Vatican source explains that the Pope must now have the time to recover. His slow convalescence is normal in the case of pneumonia, especially because it concerns a person of an advanced age.

While recent statements from the Holy See do not foresee an imminent release, they do indicate a continuous improvement in the Pope's health. This evolution is also evidenced by the publication by the Holy See of a photo of him in the Gemelli chapel Sunday, the only one since the beginning of his hospitalization. He also concelebrated Mass on the feast of St. Joseph.

On Monday, the Holy See announced that his respiratory assistance, which until now had been at “high flow,” had been reduced and alternated with a lighter device. And on Tuesday, the statement declared that the Pope had not used mechanical ventilation during the night from Monday to Tuesday, but high-flow oxygen as during the day.

On Monday, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Francis' right-hand man, agreed to answer questions from the press at an interfaith meeting in Rome, and “absolutely” ruled out having spoken of a possible papal renunciation during his three visits to Gemelli.

“I found him better than the first time,” the Italian Secretary of State also said, eight days after his last visit to the Pope's bedside.

Then, on March 21, on the sidelines of a conference on protections for children in the use of AI, the cardinal urged patience.

Asked about rumors in the Italian press that the Pope would delegate to him the presidency of the Holy Week celebrations, which begin on April 13 with Palm Sunday, the cardinal reacted with a broad smile. "Oh! They say a lot of things!"

"Let's not make predictions, let's wait and see what the doctors say," Cardinal Parolin insisted. 

From the hospital, the head of the Catholic Church has had time and strength to devote to work, as evidenced by several announcements, such as the important one of an upcoming consistory. The Pope was also able to speak out in a letter published in the Italian daily Corriere della Sera on Tuesday. In it, he points out that words can be used to join or divide; they are “never just words.” He said that “we must disarm our words, to disarm our minds and disarm the Earth.”

On April 8 — in three weeks' time — the Pontiff is expected to receive King Charles III of England and his wife, Queen Camilla, in an audience at the Vatican. Although it was Buckingham Palace that made the announcement, and not the Holy See, this meeting is a sign that the Pope's health is improving.

It is unlikely that the British Crown took the initiative to announce this visit without the agreement of the Holy See. This meeting will not only be between two heads of state, but also between two religious leaders, and will therefore have an important ecumenical dimension.

Another important event for Pope Francis is Holy Week, the heart of the liturgical year, which will begin on Palm Sunday, April 13, in less than a month. It will end on April 20 with the celebration of Easter. For the moment, nothing has been announced about his participation in the many planned celebrations.

Pope Francis is also expected in Turkey at the end of May for the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. This is a major ecumenical event in which he is due to participate alongside other Christian leaders. Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople recently confirmed that Pope Francis is expected in Iznik, and said he is praying for his speedy recovery.

Follow updates on the Pope's health here.