After nearly six weeks in the hospital, Pope Francis has returned to the Vatican—but this time, he’s under strict orders to take it slow.
The 88-year-old pontiff, who has led the Catholic Church since 2013 with an unrelenting schedule, is now facing a two-month period of recovery following his longest hospital stay yet. During his time at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, Francis battled pneumonia in both lungs and was treated with high-intensity oxygen, which has left him with throat irritation and difficulty speaking.
Despite his reputation for skipping holidays and maintaining a packed calendar of masses, speeches, and meetings with world leaders, the pope has now been instructed to pause public engagements. His medical team has outfitted the Santa Marta guesthouse—his modest residence within the Vatican—for his continued care.
Public appearances, including his weekly general audience and Holy Week events, remain uncertain. Doctors have also advised him to avoid large gatherings, meaning he’ll have to skip mingling with crowds and greeting babies for now.
A planned visit by King Charles III and Queen Camilla on April 8 is now in question, and it’s still unclear if the pope will be fit for his scheduled trip to Turkey in late May.
While he recovers, Pope Francis is expected to handle administrative tasks behind the scenes, continuing to guide the Church from a quieter, more private setting.