After Discharge from Hospital: Pope Francis is Being Cared for by Several Specialists

Under the careful supervision of the medical staff who cared for Pope Francis during his time in the hospital, the Pontiff must undergo intensive physiotherapy in the Vatican to regain his normal speaking ability after a bilateral pneumonia.

Much Medical Staff Around Pope Francis After Return to Vatican

In his apartment at the Santa Marta guesthouse, Pope Francis is being cared for by Professor Luigi Carbone. The 56-year-old specialist in internal medicine is the personal physician of the Pontiff. He had already treated Pope Francis in his Vatican apartment for chronic asthma and bronchial conditions before his condition deteriorated to the point that hospitalization was necessary on February 14.

By Francis' side is also his faithful nurse Massimiliano Strappetti. Probably no one is as familiar with Francis' ailments as the 56-year-old Roman. He is the personal nurse of the Pope. Strappetti, coordinator of the nurses in the Vatican's medical service, was appointed as Francis' personal health assistant in 2022. In 2021, the Roman convinced the Pope to undergo intestinal surgery. At that time, Francis stated that he owed his life to Strappetti. The "experienced man" had urgently advised him to undergo the procedure. "He saved my life," Francis said in an interview after the surgery.

The chief surgeon Sergio Alfieri, head of the medical team that treated the Pope at the Gemelli clinic, will also care for the Pope after his discharge from the hospital. The specialist in intestinal surgery has already operated on Francis twice, in 2021 and 2023. Alfieri, one of the most respected surgeons in the world for the abdominal and pelvic area, is an expert in colorectal surgery and minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopy and robotics. He has performed more than 9,000 surgeries.

Pope Francis to Be Monitored Around the Clock After Hospital Discharge

The Pope's "guardian angels" watch over his health condition around the clock. They have made small adjustments in the Santa Marta guesthouse to make the treatments the Pope must undergo daily easier. Francis returns to his rooms on the second floor of the building, which was chosen as his residence after his papal election in 2013 but originally served as a hotel for the cardinals. The convalescence will last two months. The Pope has been advised not to meet with groups of people during this time. For this reason, access to the floor will be even more restricted than before.

During the convalescence phase, the Pope will work, meet people, and take on other commitments only to a very limited extent. Only after his complete recovery can the 88-year-old resume his usual work rhythm, said the doctors of the Gemelli hospital.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni stated on Saturday that a decision on Pope Francis' participation in the Holy Week and Easter ceremonies in Rome has not yet been definitively made. This depends on the course of recovery and the state of health. The Pope will adhere to the doctors' recommendations. This also applies to a possible meeting with British King Charles in April and a planned but not yet finally confirmed trip of the Pope to Turkey at the end of May.

(APA/Red)

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