- Feb 5, 2002
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The Pope, who has described himself as an ‘impatient patient,’ is hardly unique among the ailing, especially the elderly, in bridling at the directives of physicians.
The day before Pope Francis left the hospital last month, after 38 days of treatment for double pneumonia, his doctors held a press conference. They said his recovery would require at least two months in convalescence at his residence in the Vatican. He should not meet with groups of people, and particularly not with children, to avoid viruses and other infections.
It hasn’t worked out that way.
For the first two weeks after his release, following a brief appearance on the balcony of his hospital room on the day of his departure, the Pope stayed out of the public eye. Then, on April 6, during the Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care Workers, he showed up in St. Peter’s Square at the end of Sunday Mass. He wore the nasal cannulas that he uses to take oxygen and looked weary but cheerful, his voice strained as he wished everyone a happy Sunday. The appearance, which the Vatican Press Office had broadly hinted at ahead of time, raised hopes that he would join if only briefly in at least one of the liturgies for the Paschal Triduum or Easter.
The Pope’s private meeting with the British king and queen three days later, after their official visit to the Vatican had been called off, was another sign that things were getting back to normal earlier than expected. A photo showed Pope Francis shaking hands with Queen Camilla.
Continued below.
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The day before Pope Francis left the hospital last month, after 38 days of treatment for double pneumonia, his doctors held a press conference. They said his recovery would require at least two months in convalescence at his residence in the Vatican. He should not meet with groups of people, and particularly not with children, to avoid viruses and other infections.
It hasn’t worked out that way.
For the first two weeks after his release, following a brief appearance on the balcony of his hospital room on the day of his departure, the Pope stayed out of the public eye. Then, on April 6, during the Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care Workers, he showed up in St. Peter’s Square at the end of Sunday Mass. He wore the nasal cannulas that he uses to take oxygen and looked weary but cheerful, his voice strained as he wished everyone a happy Sunday. The appearance, which the Vatican Press Office had broadly hinted at ahead of time, raised hopes that he would join if only briefly in at least one of the liturgies for the Paschal Triduum or Easter.
The Pope’s private meeting with the British king and queen three days later, after their official visit to the Vatican had been called off, was another sign that things were getting back to normal earlier than expected. A photo showed Pope Francis shaking hands with Queen Camilla.
Continued below.
When It Comes to Convalescence, Pope Francis Keeps His Own Counsel
ANALYSIS: The Pope, who has described himself as an ‘impatient patient,’ is hardly unique among the ailing, especially the elderly, in bridling at the directives of physicians.
