While Leaving Hospital, Pope Francis Has Emotional Exchange With Newly-Bereaved Parents

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis was discharged connected Saturday from the Rome infirmary wherever helium was treated for bronchitis, quipping to journalists earlier being driven away: “I’m inactive alive.”

Francis, 86, was hospitalized connected Wednesday astatine Gemelli Polyclinic aft reportedly having breathing difficulties pursuing his play nationalist audience. The pontiff was treated with antibiotics administered intravenously, the Vatican said.

Before departing, Francis had an affectional infinitesimal with a Rome mates whose 5-year-old girl died Friday nighttime astatine the hospital.

Serena Subania, the parent of Angelica, sobbed arsenic she pressed her caput into the thorax of the pope, who enactment a manus connected the woman’s head.

Francis seemed anxious to linger with well-wishers. When a lad showed him his limb cast, the pope made a motion arsenic if to inquire “Do you person a pen?”

A papal adjutant handed Francis one, and the pope autographed the cast.

Pope Francis consoles Serena Subania who mislaid her girl Angelica.

via Associated Press

The pontiff answered successful a dependable that was adjacent to a susurration erstwhile reporters peppered him with questions, indicating helium did consciousness thorax pain, a grounds that convinced his aesculapian unit to instrumentality him to the infirmary Wednesday.

Francis sat successful the beforehand spot of the achromatic Fiat 500 car that drove him distant from Gemelli Polyclinic. But alternatively of heading consecutive home, his motorcade sped close past Vatican City, according to an Associated Press lensman positioned extracurricular the walled city-state.

Pope Francis was discharged pursuing attraction for bronchitis.

FILIPPO MONTEFORTE via Getty Images

The pope was seemingly headed to a Rome basilica that is simply a favourite of his.

After helium was discharged from the aforesaid infirmary successful July 2021 pursuing intestinal surgery, Francis stopped to connection prayers of thanksgiving astatine St. Mary Major Basilica successful Rome, which is location to an icon depicting the Virgin Mary.

On Friday, Vatican officials said Francis would beryllium astatine St. Peter’s Square for Palm Sunday Mass to people the commencement of Holy Week, which culminates connected Easter, April 9.

Gregorio Borgia contributed reporting.