Pope Francis is continuing his treatment, physical therapy, and celebrating Mass at his residence at Casa Santa Marta, the Holy See Press Office reported Tuesday. The statement indicated that the Pontiff continues to carry out some work activities, although he is not currently receiving visitors. Furthermore, no decisions have been made regarding his schedule for the coming weeks.

Recovery at Casa Santa Marta

The Pope’s convalescence continues at his residence at Casa Santa Marta, where he is receiving physical therapy related to mobility and breathing, with a particular focus on recovering his voice. He is also devoting time to personal prayer and concelebrating Mass in the residence’s chapel.

This Tuesday, the Vatican Press Office shared with accredited journalists updates on the Pope’s health following his discharge from the hospital on Sunday, March 23, after 38 days of hospitalization at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital due to bilateral pneumonia.

After greeting 3,000 people from the hospital balcony and making a brief stop at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, the Pope returned to Casa Santa Marta to begin his recovery and rest process.

Estimated Length of Convalescence

According to Dr. Sergio Alfieri, who oversaw the Pope’s hospitalization at Gemelli, and Dr. Luigi Carbone, the Pontiff’s personal physician, the period of convalescence and rest at Casa Santa Marta should last about “two months.” Both doctors provided these details at a press conference Saturday evening at Gemelli Hospital.

Treatment and Physical Therapy

The Holy See Press Office indicated that the Pope is following the convalescence plan outlined by his doctors. During his treatment, he continues oral pharmacological medication and physical therapy related to mobility and breathing, as he did daily in the hospital. Doctors recommended that he avoid gatherings, both individual and group, and receive 24-hour medical assistance, including oxygen therapy and care for possible emergencies. This assistance is provided by the Vatican City State Directorate of Health and Hygiene, and a medical team is always with the Pope.

The Pope continues to receive high-flow oxygen through nasal cannulas at night, with a gradual reduction in therapy during the day.

Celebration of Mass and Work Activities

As in the hospital, where he concelebrated Mass in the tenth-floor chapel, the Pope now visits the chapel on the second floor of Casa Santa Marta to concelebrate Mass.

Likewise, he continues to carry out work activities within his limited capacity. In fact, the Holy See Press Office announced the appointment of Archbishop Ignazio Ceffalia as Apostolic Nuncio to Belarus and Monsignor Francesco Ibba as Defender of the Bond at the Tribunal of the Roman Rota.

No precise details have been given regarding the Pope’s agenda for the coming days or for future events such as the Jubilee celebrations or Holy Week rites. Doctors emphasized that his recovery is being closely monitored, and they are awaiting the “expected clinical improvements.” They indicated that some decisions are being considered and will be made based on the improvements that occur in the coming week.

Written Catechesis for the General Audience

The General Audience will not be held this Wednesday, March 26, as has been the case in previous weeks. Instead, the written text of the Pope’s catechesis will be distributed, as has been the case throughout this month and every Wednesday since February 14.

The same will happen on Sunday with the Angelus, although updates are still awaited. For now, the Pope’s message is expected to be disseminated by the Holy See Press Office, as has been the case on previous Sundays.

Visits and Meetings

Currently, the Pope is not receiving visitors and has only seen his closest collaborators in the last two days. No plans have been announced regarding scheduled visits by heads of state or government.

Reflections by Dr. Sergio Alfieri

Dr. Alfieri emphasized that the Pope is happy to be home. Both doctors, Alfieri and Carbone, have previously mentioned the Pope’s good spirits following his improved health. The most dangerous phase of his illness is behind him, and the most serious infections have been overcome, as confirmed at the Gemelli press conference.

At that press conference, Dr. Alfieri revealed that the Pope went through two critical moments in which his life was at risk. In an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Alfieri recalled that the most serious moment occurred on February 28, when the Pope’s condition worsened due to a bronchospasm attack.

The Pope’s Request for the Truth

The Pope has insisted on being fully informed about his health from day one. “He asked us to tell him the truth and to share the truth about his condition,” said Dr. Alfieri.

Regarding the written updates on the Pope’s health, Dr. Alfieri indicated that the medical reports were passed on to the Pope’s secretaries, who added additional details before obtaining his approval.

“Everything was shared as is,” he stated, “without altering or hiding anything. He has people around him who are like family, always at his side.”