Pope Francis thanks doctors and nurses for his recovery

By Elisabetta Povoledo

Pope Francis on Wednesday held an audience with dozens of doctors, nurses and hospital staff who helped get him back to health after bronchial infections and double pneumonia put his life at risk earlier this year.

“Thank you, thank you for everything you have done,” Francis said in a raspy voice. “I pray for you, I hope you do the same for me.”

But in a sign of his continued frailty, the Vatican announced that the 88-year old pontiff would not lead the celebration of major services on Easter weekend and had instead delegated several cardinals to take his place. It remains unclear if he will attend any Easter festivities, though he may still give a blessing.

His brief statements to the hospital staff were the most Francis had said in public since March 23, when he was released from the Policlinico A. Gemelli hospital in Rome after a 38-day stay.

When he left the hospital, his doctors disclosed that the pontiff had been so ill that he nearly died on two occasions. Francis was admitted Feb. 14 with bronchitis that developed into pneumonia in both lungs.

Since returning to the Vatican, Francis has been convalescing in the guesthouse where he lives, gradually increasing appointments in his daily routine. Along with daily physiotherapy, both motor and respiratory, Francis has begun to meet with top Vatican officials on a regular basis, according to the Vatican press office. He has also been working on texts and documents, it said.

Although his doctors cautioned the pope to take things easy for at least two months, he has made a couple of surprise appearances during recent Sunday Masses in St. Peter’s Square. He also took a spin in his wheelchair through St. Peter’s Basilica last week in street clothes, and met privately with King Charles III and Queen Camilla of Britain. But he has not celebrated any public Mass.