The Vatican announced that Pope Francis would be released from the Rome hospital where he is getting treatment for bronchitis.
Matteo Bruni, a spokesman for the Vatican, published a Pope Francis health update on Friday, saying that the Roman Catholic Church leader is expected to attend the mass marking the commencement of Holy Week and ushers in a string of solemn public rituals leading up to Easter, April 9.
On Wednesday, physicians at Gemelli Polyclinic announced they had admitted Pope Francis, 86, for treatment of bronchitis with intravenous antibiotics, according to Fox News.
"Yesterday (went) well, with a normal clinical recovery,'' Bruni said, adding that Pope Francis enjoyed supper, "eating a pizza", along with all those who are aiding him in the hospital on Thursday night.
Pope Francis is due to be back at the Vatican on Saturday, Bruni added, after a few final medical examinations set for Friday.
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Pope Francis To Attend Holy Week Ceremonies
The Vatican spokesperson subsequently added that if the pontiff does return on Saturday as planned, he would attend Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square to kick off the Holy Week festivities running up to Easter.
Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re stated Friday that Pope Francis might supervise Holy Week events but not celebrate, per USA Today.
Due to a longstanding knee condition, Pope Francis had already ceased celebrating Mass during important Catholic Church Lenten Season, but he still presided over the celebrations and delivered homilies.
Good Friday's Way of the Cross procession and prayers at the Colosseum in Rome would test anyone's endurance, and Easter Mass on April 9 is followed by a lengthy papal address given from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.
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