Pope Francis Concelebrates Mass, Continues Recovery at Casa Santa Marta

Pope Francis continues his period of convalescence at Casa Santa Marta, where he remains under close medical supervision while resuming limited activities, including concelebrating Mass. According to the Holy See Press Office, the Holy Father is undergoing “mobility and respiratory-related physiotherapy, especially for voice recovery,” and following a structured treatment plan designed by his medical team.

The Pope was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on March 23 after a 38-day stay due to bilateral pneumonia. Upon leaving the hospital, he greeted 3,000 people from a balcony and visited the Marian Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore before returning to his Vatican residence. His doctors have prescribed a two-month recovery period, during which he will continue pharmacological treatment and full-time therapy. As noted by the Holy See Press Office, “The Pope is following the convalescence plan as described by the doctors on Saturday.”

Ongoing Medical Care and Limited Activities

Pope Francis’ medical team, led by Dr. Sergio Alfieri and Dr. Luigi Carbone, has advised against meetings and public engagements for the time being. The Vatican’s Directorate of Health and Hygiene is providing round-the-clock medical assistance, including oxygen therapy. According to the press office, “The Holy Father continues to receive oxygen therapy under the same conditions as during his hospitalization—high-flow oxygen through nasal cannulas at night, with a gradual reduction of oxygen therapy during the day.”

Despite these limitations, the Pope has been concelebrating Mass in the chapel at Santa Marta, as he did at Gemelli Hospital. He is also continuing some work activities at a reduced capacity. On Tuesday, the Holy See Press Office announced two appointments: Archbishop Ignazio Ceffalia as Apostolic Nuncio to Belarus and Monsignor Francesco Ibba as Defender of the Bond at the Roman Rota Tribunal. However, no decisions have been made regarding the Pope’s schedule for the upcoming weeks, including events for the Jubilee celebrations and Holy Week.

Transparency About His Health

Pope Francis has insisted on full transparency regarding his health condition. Dr. Alfieri shared that “He asked us to tell him the truth, and he wanted the truth about his condition to be shared.” Medical updates are conveyed through his secretaries, who ensure accuracy before obtaining the Pope’s approval. “Nothing was ever altered or withheld. He has people around him who are like family, always by his side,” Dr. Alfieri stated.

During a recent interview with Corriere della Sera, Dr. Alfieri revealed that Pope Francis had faced two critical moments where his life was at risk. The most serious occurred on February 28, when a bronchospasm crisis caused his condition to deteriorate significantly. “For the first time, I saw tears in the eyes of some of the people around him—people who, as I have come to understand during this hospitalization, truly love him as a father,” Alfieri said. “We were all aware that the situation had deteriorated further and that there was a real risk he might not make it.” Ultimately, the Pope himself made the decision to proceed with aggressive treatment. “We had to decide whether to stop and let him go or to push forward with all possible medications and therapies, despite the high risk of damaging other organs. In the end, we chose to fight.”

Looking Ahead

For now, Pope Francis remains in recovery, with decisions about his future engagements to be determined based on his progress. The General Audience scheduled for March 26 has been canceled, with his catechesis to be distributed in written form, as has been the case since February 14. Similarly, updates regarding the Angelus on Sunday are still pending.

As the Church prays for Pope Francis’ full recovery, Catholics worldwide are invited to offer their petitions for his continued strength. The Holy Father remains in good spirits and is grateful for the prayers and support of the faithful. As Dr. Alfieri and Dr. Carbone affirmed, the most dangerous phase of his illness has passed, and “the most severe infections have been overcome.” The Vatican will continue to monitor his condition closely, awaiting “expected clinical improvements” in the weeks ahead.

Faithful around the world are encouraged to keep the Pope in their prayers, asking for the Lord’s healing hand to restore him to full health so that he may continue his mission of shepherding the Church.