Pope Francis resigned after hospitalization: “I’m still alive”

“I’m still alive,” the Pope said with a smile as he left the Gemelli Polyclinic this morning where he had been hospitalized for three days with infectious bronchitis.

“How do I feel? I’m still alive,” the Argentine Pope said this morning as he reappeared in public. Francisco stopped the soft car in which he was traveling and went down the stairs with the help of a cane until people lined up who cheered him.

He greeted the group and spoke to a boy who had broken his arm and confirmed that tomorrow he will preside over Palm Sunday which will take place in St. Peter’s Square. The pontiff should guide the rites, while the mass will be celebrated by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, also from Argentina.

The Pope left the Gemelli hospital this morning after being discharged from infectious bronchitis which forced him to be hospitalized urgently on Wednesday. He moved into his lodgings in the Casa de Santa Marta, the internal hotel of the Vatican where he is staying.

Sandri, 79, is vice dean of the College of Cardinals and prefect emeritus of the Department of Oriental Churches. He was a diplomat of the Holy See for years.

In 2005, when he was a substitute in the Secretariat of State, the Polish Karol Wojtyla, suffering from Parkinson’s disease in the terminal phase, was entrusted with helping Pope Saint John Paul II.

Sandri read the speeches and public messages of the pontiff who reigned for 26 and a half years, alongside Wojtila. He became very popular and was called by the people, who called him “The Pope’s Voice”.

The Argentine cardinal announced the death of St. John Paul II at dusk on April 2, 2005 in front of the crowd gathered in prayer in St. Peter’s Square.

Cardinal Giovanni Maria Ré, dean of the diplomatic corps, said the pope would preside over all Holy Week ceremonies, read the speech and give the Urbe et Orbis blessing (to the city and the world) on Easter Sunday.

Vatican correspondent