Pope Francis to be discharged from hospital on Sunday

Pope Francis will be discharged from Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Sunday, doctors treating him have said.

The 88-year-old was admitted to the hospital on 14 February with double pneumonia.

During the past five weeks, he presented “two very critical episodes” where his “life was in danger”, according to Dr Sergio Alfieri, one of the doctors treating the Pope.

Pope Francis was never intubated and always remained alert and oriented, Dr Alfieri said. The Pope is now in a stable condition and will need at least two months of rest at the Vatican.

“Today we are happy to say that tomorrow he will be at home,” Dr Alfieri told reporters on Saturday.

The Vatican had said on Friday that the Pope had seen some improvements in his breathing and mobility.

It had confirmed he no longer uses mechanical ventilation for breathing at night, but was instead receiving oxygen via a small tube under his nose. During the day, he is using less high-flow oxygen.

The Pope has only been seen by the public once since he was admitted to hospital, in a photograph released by the Vatican last week, which showed him praying in a hospital chapel.

Earlier this month, an audio recording of Pope Francis speaking in his native Spanish was played in St Peter’s Square in Vatican City.

His voice was breathless as he thanked the Catholic faithful for their prayers.

Pope Francis has spent nearly 12 years as leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

He has suffered a number of health issues throughout his life, including having part of one of his lungs removed at age 21, making him more prone to infections.