Pope Francis returns to Santa Marta giving thanks for people’s prayers

After 37 days of hospitalization at the Policlinico Gemelli in Rome, Pope Francis has returned to the Vatican. On March 23, at the end of a long hospital stay caused by a serious bout of pneumonia, the Holy Father appeared on the hospital balcony, sitting in a wheelchair, to greet the faithful and thank them for the prayers and affection he has received from all round the world.

The hospitalization began on February 14, following an emergency transfer to the Gemelli for an acute lung infection. On the day of his return, before returning to the Vatican, the Pope went to pray at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore - a moment of meditation and devotion.

In his Angelus message for the Third Sunday of Lent, the Holy Father shared a profound reflection on the patience of God, which he experienced in a special way during his illness: “During this long period of hospitalization, I have had the opportunity to experience the patience of the Lord, which I also see reflected in the tireless care of doctors and healthcare workers, as well as in the attention and hopes of the families of the sick.

“This trusting patience, anchored in the love of God which never fails us, is truly necessary for our lives, especially when we have to face the most difficult and painful situations.”