Pope Francis to Be Discharged from Hospital on Sunday, Doctor Says

In this Oct. 24, 2015 file photo, Pope Francis carries his coat and documents as he leaves after a morning session of the last day of the Synod of bishops, at the Vatican. (AP)
In this Oct. 24, 2015 file photo, Pope Francis carries his coat and documents as he leaves after a morning session of the last day of the Synod of bishops, at the Vatican. (AP)
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Pope Francis to Be Discharged from Hospital on Sunday, Doctor Says

In this Oct. 24, 2015 file photo, Pope Francis carries his coat and documents as he leaves after a morning session of the last day of the Synod of bishops, at the Vatican. (AP)
In this Oct. 24, 2015 file photo, Pope Francis carries his coat and documents as he leaves after a morning session of the last day of the Synod of bishops, at the Vatican. (AP)

Pope Francis will be discharged from hospital on Sunday and will need two months of rest at the Vatican, one of the doctors treating him said on Saturday.

Francis, 88, was admitted to hospital on February 14 with a severe respiratory infection that has required evolving treatment.

The Vatican said earlier on Saturday that Francis also planned to make his first appearance in more than five weeks on Sunday, offering a blessing from the window of his room at Rome's Gemelli Hospital where he has been battling double pneumonia.

The pope has been seen by the public only once during his hospital stay, in a photo the Vatican released last week, showing the pontiff at prayer in a hospital chapel.

Francis wants to come to the hospital window around noon on Sunday to give a greeting and blessing, the Vatican said in its brief statement on Saturday.

The pope usually offers a weekly noon-time prayer in St. Peter's Square on Sundays. Francis has not been able to do this since February 9, before going to hospital.



Trump Open to Meeting Iran's Leaders

President Donald Trump waves as he arrives on the South Lawn of the White House, Thursday, April. 24, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
President Donald Trump waves as he arrives on the South Lawn of the White House, Thursday, April. 24, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
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Trump Open to Meeting Iran's Leaders

President Donald Trump waves as he arrives on the South Lawn of the White House, Thursday, April. 24, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
President Donald Trump waves as he arrives on the South Lawn of the White House, Thursday, April. 24, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

US President Donald Trump said he was open to meeting Iran's supreme leader or the country's president, when he was asked by Time magazine in an interview on April 22 whether he would meet with either as the countries began nuclear talks.

Negotiations between Iran and the United States over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program will return Saturday to the sultanate of Oman, where experts on both sides will start hammering the technical details of any possible deal.

The talks seek to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of some of the crushing economic sanctions the US has imposed on Iran closing in on half a century of enmity. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to unleash airstrikes targeting Iran’s program if a deal isn’t reached. Iranian officials increasingly warn that they could pursue a nuclear weapon with their stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels.

Neither Iran nor the US have offered any explanation on why the talks will return to Muscat, the Omani capital nestled in the Hajar Mountains. Oman has been a mediator between the countries. Last weekend's talks in Rome offered a more-equal flight distance between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff, who are leading the negotiations.

But Rome remains in mourning after the death of Pope Francis, whose funeral will be Saturday.