Pope Francis is expected to be released from the Rome hospital where he is being treated for bronchitis on Saturday, April 1.
On Friday, March 31, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni issued an update in a written statement.
In a subsequent statement, Bruni stated that Francis was scheduled to attend Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square, which marks the beginning of Holy Week and ushers in a series of solemn public ceremonies culminating on Easter on April 9.
Francis, 86, was admitted to Gemelli Polyclinic on March 29 and was being treated for bronchitis with antibiotics administered intravenously.
“Yesterday went well, with a normal clinical recovery,″ Bruni said. “In the evening (of Thursday), Pope Francis had dinner, eating a pizza, together with all those who are assisting him in these days of the hospital stay,” the spokesman said, including doctors, nurses, assistants and Vatican security personnel.
On Friday morning, the pope read newspapers and resumed his work after breakfast.
The pontiff’s return to the Vatican hotel where he lives “is expected for tomorrow, as a result of the last tests of this morning,″ Bruni said.
The spokesman later added that, given the pope would return to the Vatican on Saturday, Francis was expected to be present in the square for Palm Sunday Mass.