In a video message, the spokesperson of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC), expressed deep gratitude following Pope Francis’s discharge from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Sunday, March 23 after a five-week stay due to a severe and life-threatening bilateral pneumonia.

“This was a severe illness, and we give thanks to God that the Holy Father has recovered sufficiently to return to the Vatican,” said Cardinal Stephen Brislin. The Local Ordinary of Johannesburg Metropolitan Archdiocese acknowledged the global outpouring of prayers and well wishes, emphasizing the importance of continued spiritual support.

“We are deeply grateful to all those who have been praying for him during this difficult time,” he added.

On Sunday, March 23 Pope Francis greeted thousands of faithful from the balcony of Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for the first time since his hospitalization, before leaving the facility where he had been since 14 February.

According to Vatican News, after leaving Gemelli Hospital in his usual white Fiat 500L, Pope Francis headed to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major where he met with Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Coadjutor Archpriest of the Papal Basilica, giving him flowers to be placed before the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani as a sign of his gratitude for her care and protection.

In the March 23 video message, Cardinal Brislin also extended heartfelt appreciation to the medical professionals who cared for the Pope. “We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers who looked after him with such dedication and expertise,” he said. “Their tireless efforts are a true testament to the vocation of healing.”

Despite his recovery, Pope Francis still requires prayers and strength as he resumes his responsibilities. “Even though he has left the hospital, I urge everyone to continue praying for him daily,” Cardinal Brislin said.

He continued, “His leadership and wisdom are vital, especially as the Church continues its journey of synodality and as the world faces immense challenges.”

“We need Pope Francis’s voice now more than ever,” affirmed Cardinal Brislin. “May the Lord protect him, strengthen him, and grant him many more years to lead the Church with wisdom and love,” he added.

In separate interviews with South African news channels, Cardinal Brislin explained that although his physical frailty has led to speculation about a potential resignation, Pope Francis remains mentally and spiritually strong.

“We’re not quite sure yet of what his condition is, and that will transpire, I guess, over the next couple of months. But I think that there’s a lot of speculation about whether he will resign and whether he will continue. I think we can’t really know as we see what effect this illness has had on him,” said Cardinal Brislin during an interview with eNCA.

As doctors advised the 88-year-old Pontiff to observe two months of rest and convalescence at his home in the Santa Martha guesthouse in the Vatican, Cardinal Brislin told eNCA that in the event of the end of the current Papacy, the new Pope would “come from the college of cardinals.”

“Once we go into the conclave, the situation changes completely. I don’t think it’s a highly politicised event, I think that during the conclave, it’s a very prayerful event, a time when the cardinals look at the needs of the world, the church and see best who would be able to fulfil a Christian response to those needs,” said Cardinal Brislin.

In a separate interview with IZINDABA KU 163 Bishop Thulani Victor Mbuyisa CMM echoed Cardinal Brislin’s call for continued prayer for Pope Francis’s full recovery during the next months at Casa Santa Marta.

“We thank God that the time has come for Pope Francis to go back home (to return home from the hospital). We hope his health will continue to improve so that he may continue with the ministry God has entrusted to him, that is, to lead the Catholic Church,” said the Local Ordinary of Kokstad Diocese.