Pope Francis expressed gratitude to a supporter holding yellow flowers just before departing from the hospital for his final trip home. The frail 88-year-old pontiff appeared live from his hospital window at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he blessed well-wishers below and singled out a woman for special recognition in March.
Acknowledging the woman with yellow flowers in the crowd, Pope Francis said, “Thank you, thank you – I see this lady with yellow flowers, very good, thank you,” in a warm yet feeble voice. This touching moment occurred as the Pope continued to combat severe double pneumonia, a life-threatening condition that had nearly claimed his life twice, as later revealed by doctors.
His brief appearance marked the first live sighting of him since his admission to the hospital on February 14, following a period of minimal communication interrupted only by a few recorded messages. Shortly after the emotional blessing, Pope Francis left Gemelli Hospital, seen smiling while being driven back to the Vatican in a modest Fiat. He would undergo an extended recovery process requiring at least two more months of rest, therapy, and close medical monitoring.
Doctors at Gemelli Hospital disclosed the gravity of the Pontiff’s illness, detailing his battle against a complex infection involving bacteria, viruses, and fungi that had led to pneumonia in both lungs, anaemia, low blood platelets, and early signs of kidney failure. In late February, a critical moment arose when Pope Francis experienced a severe coughing fit, aspirated vomit, and needed immediate mechanical ventilation to sustain his breathing, a situation that deeply concerned his medical team.
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, who headed the medical staff attending to Pope Francis, noted, “When he was in really bad shape, it was difficult for him to keep his spirits up,” adding that the Pope’s humorous response of “I’m still alive” to a query about his well-being was a reassuring sign.
Despite the ordeal, the Argentine Pope remained conscious and cooperative during his 38-day hospitalization. While striving to recover, Pope Francis maintained his concern for others. In a reflection during his Angelus message broadcast from his hospital room on a Sunday, he shared insights on patience, suffering, and trust in God’s love.
Expressing gratitude to his supporters and addressing global suffering, Pope Francis called for an end to violence in Gaza and urged for peace in conflict-ridden areas such as Ukraine, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He reassured his followers, saying, “You are continuing to pray for me with great patience and perseverance: thank you very much! I pray for you too.”
Pope Francis was set to receive round-the-clock medical attention at his residence in the Santa Marta guesthouse near St Peter’s Basilica. Although he no longer required a ventilation mask at night, he still relied on supplemental oxygen during the day and needed ongoing medication to address lingering infections.
Despite his ongoing medical care, Pope Francis’ personal physicians remained cautiously optimistic about his recovery. Dr. Luigi Carbone expressed hope that the Holy Father’s condition was improving and that he would soon be able to resume his normal activities.
However, on Easter Monday, Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 at Domus Sanctae Marthae in Vatican City. The news of his death was announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo, in a broadcast by Vatican Media and a video statement released two hours after his passing. His funeral, attended by thousands, was held this morning, drawing a large crowd to pay their respects.