As Pope Francis continues his recovery, he is slowly returning to his routine of meeting Holy See officials, the Vatican press office said yesterday. Source: CNS.
In addition to working with his secretaries, he met Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, on Monday, the press office said.
The Pope is also in contact with other dicasteries by phone and reads texts and documents he receives from them. His regular phone calls to Holy Family parish in Gaza, which were sporadic during his hospitalisation, continue.
Pope Francis was released from Rome’s Gemelli hospital on March 23 after more than five weeks of treatment for breathing difficulties, double pneumonia and a polymicrobial infection in his airways.
His doctors had said he would need two months to convalesce following his release, which included staying home, avoiding visitors and continuing pharmacological, respiratory and physical therapy.
However, the Pope surprised the faithful when he appeared in St Peter’s Square on Sunday at the end of the closing Mass of the Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care Workers.
It was the first time he had been seen in public since he was discharged from the hospital.
Seated in a wheelchair and wearing a nasal cannula, the Pope greeted the crowd with a strained voice, wishing them “A happy Sunday to you all, many thanks!” Before appearing in the square, he went to confession in St. Peter’s Basilica and passed through the Holy Door.
A Vatican source said the Pope’s appearance Sunday still fit within his doctors’ recommendations, as the moment was brief, it was outdoors and he met with just a few people.
Pope Francis still has a lingering lung infection, which doctors had said would take time to clear up. He continues to use high-flow oxygen at night only when needed, the press office said.
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Pope begins to receive very limited visits, Vatican says (By Carol Glatz, CNS)
