Pope Francis to be discharged from hospital on Saturday morning

Pope Francis’ medical team, having reviewed tests carried out on Friday, and in light of the progress made so far, have confirmed that the Holy Father will be discharged on Saturday morning.

The confirmation comes in an update on the Pope’s condition issued Friday evening by the Holy See Press Office.

The update notes that Pope Francis received Holy Communion Friday afternoon, after visiting the chapel of his private room for some time in prayer.

The Press Office also provided further details of the Pope’s visit to the hospital’s pediatric oncology and infant neurosurgery ward, which had been revealed earlier in the day. During his visit, Pope Francis expressed his gratitude for the “self-sacrifice and spirit of service” of medical personnel and caregivers “who contribute to relieving the physical ailments and the mental anguish of those who, on a daily basis, are called upon to bear witness to the Cross of Christ.”

As noted previously, the Pope took the time during his visit to baptize a newborn, Miguel Angel, reminding the baby’s mother to tell those who record the baptism in the parish register that “the Pope baptized him!”

Pope to preside at Mass for Palm Sunday

The previous update also noted that, as he is scheduled to return home to the Vatican on Saturday morning, Pope Francis is expected to preside at the Mass for Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, which will be celebrated in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday.

Throughout his stay at Gemelli hospital, the Holy Father has expressed his gratitude for the prayers and good wishes he has received during his convalescence.

Prayers and best wishes for the Holy Father have been pouring in from around the world.

The Holy Father, as expressed in statements issued by the Director of the Holy See Press Office, and the Pontiff’s own Twitter account, has expressed how touched he has been by the outpouring of prayers for him.

Vancouver Archbishop J. Michael Miller asked the faithful to offer prayers for the Holy Father. “Like all of us, he depends upon the prayers of his brothers and sisters to make intercession for him before the Lord,” he said.

The President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, issued a statement saying that as Pope Francis recovers, “we pray intensely for our Holy Father.”

“On behalf of my brother bishops, I invite all the faithful to pause, if possible before the Blessed Sacrament, and pray for his speedy recovery.”

“May our dear shepherd and all those in need of healing,” he said, “experience the comfort of Christ.”

For the first Pope from the Americas, the bishops of the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM), urged all their brothers in the episcopate, and all the holy and faithful people of God who are pilgrims in Latin America and the Caribbean, “to intensify their prayers for the intentions of Pope Francis and for his health during this time of Lent in which we prepare for the celebration of Holy Week.”

They invited all faithful to pray for the full recovery of the health of Pope Francis “under the intercession of “our Mother, under the invocation of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of this continent.”

World leaders have also expressed their closeness to the Pope, including the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, who offered his “most intense and affectionate wishes to Pope Francis, with the wish for a full recovery in health.”

India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, said on Twitter, he is “praying for the good health and speedy recovery of Pope Francis.”

The President of the United States, Joe Biden, also said he would be saying an “extra prayer” for Pope Francis, having described the Pope as one of the most “Christ-like figures I’ve ever met.” In a tweet, the US President said, “[First Lady] Jill [Biden] and I are keeping Pope Francis in our prayers and send our best wishes for his swift and full recovery. The world needs Pope Francis.”

With B.C. Catholic and Catholic News Agency files