Pope Francis’s Month-Long Hospitalization and Signs of Gradual Recovery
Pope Francis marked one month in the hospital on Friday, where he has been undergoing treatment for bilateral pneumonia. In recent days, there have been encouraging signs that the 88-year-old pontiff is slowly recovering. Since a general audience held on February 12 in the Paul VI Hall of the Vatican, most of the faithful have not seen the Argentine pope in public. The medical updates released during the first three weeks of his treatment, filled with ups and downs, caused widespread concern among Catholics worldwide and sparked speculation about whether he might consider stepping down. However, the initial fear has gradually given way to cautious relief as fears of an imminent death have subsided.
The Associated Press photographers have captured the hope and anguish surrounding Pope Francis’s health, as more pilgrims than usual arrive in Rome for the celebration of the Holy Year, a rare event that occurs once every 25 years. These pilgrims have added a stop at the Gemelli Hospital, where the pope is being treated, to pray for his recovery. Cameras have focused on the windows of the tenth-floor suite where Francis is staying, mostly kept dark, as he has not yet made any public appearances. Church officials have emphasize
