Pope Francis is scheduled to make his first public appearance on Sunday following weeks of illness. 

The 88-year-old pontiff, who was hospitalised on February 14 with pneumonia, is expected to offer a blessing and wave from the window of Rome’s Gemelli hospital.

The Vatican confirmed the news on Saturday, stating that “Pope Francis intends to wave and offer a blessing from the Agostino Gemelli hospital in Rome after Angelus prayers.” 

This will mark his first public appearance in over five weeks.

Doctors have indicated that Pope Francis is in stable condition and is expected to be discharged from the hospital on Sunday to continue his recovery at the Vatican.

However, one of his doctors, Professor Sergio Alfieri, stated that the Pope will require “at least two months of rest” and will continue medication “for a long time”.

Cardinal Victor Fernandez, head of the Vatican’s doctrinal office, acknowledged that the Pope might need to “relearn how to speak” due to the effects of the high-flow oxygen therapy he received for bilateral pneumonia, he assured that the Pope’s “overall physical condition is as it was before.”

During his hospitalisation, it was reported that Pope Francis experienced two critical episodes, but he was never intubated and remained alert. 

Despite his health challenges, he has reportedly stayed informed about current events and continued to dedicate himself to his work.

The Pope’s planned appearance on Sunday will be a welcome sight for the faithful, who have been following his health updates closely.

His absence included missing the usual Sunday Angelus prayers for the past five weeks, the longest such absence since his election in 2013.