Pope Francis appeared on Sunday, March 23, at a window of the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, to make a salvation and pronounce a few words. “Thank you all”he said in a weak voice during this brief appearance in a wheelchair at the balcony, the first since its hospitalization, on February 14. It was greeted by applause fed by the hundreds of faithful massaged in front of the hospital.
A few minutes later, around 12:15 p.m. (Paris time), the white car transporting him slowed down when leaving the hospital so that François, sitting on the front passenger seat, could greet the faithful who came to encourage him. Always weakened, it is powered by oxygen by the nostrils.
The Pope, who has arrived at the Vatican, will start a convalescence that will last “At least two months”according to his doctors. Pope's state of health “Improves” And “We hope he can quickly resume his normal activities”according to a member of the medical team, Doctor Luigi Carbon.
“During the convalescence period he will not be able to honor his usual daily meetings”said the Professor Sergio Alfieri. A heavy precision of meaning while the bishop of Rome had so far imposed a frantic work rhythm, chaining an appointment and religious celebrations while continuing to travel despite the injunctions of those around him to slow down the cadence.
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The 88-year-old sovereign pontiff has not chaired the prayer of the Angelus since February 9, missing this meeting for five weeks, a first in twelve years of pontificate. He had not been reappeared in public for more than a month, the Vatican having only published on March 16 a photo of him, three -quarters of back praying in the chapel of his medical apartment, fueling speculation. The Vatican also broadcast, on March 6, a short audio message in which the Pope, who received messages of support and prayers from all over the world, thanked in a weakened voice for their prayers.
In his weekly prayer of the Angelus, which was published Sunday in written form, as in recent weeks, the Pope demanded the end “Immediate” Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip, as well as the resumption of dialogue to reach the release of “All hostages” and a “Final cease-fire”. “I am saddened by the resumption of intense Israeli bombings on the Gaza Strip, which have killed so many people and injured”writes the pope.
He also urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to sign “As soon as possible” the recently negotiated peace agreement between these two countries, hoping ” that he can thus contribute to the establishment of lasting peace in the South Caucasus ” After decades of conflict.
François' illness and long hospitalization have notably raised questions about the person who could lead religious events leading to Easter (this year on April 20), the most important party on the Catholic calendar. The Vatican assured Wednesday that no decision had been made in this regard.
Source: Lemonde