Pope Francis came so close to death at one point during his fight in hospital against pneumonia that his doctors considered ending treatment so that the 88-year-old pontiff could die peacefully, the head of the pope's medical team said on Tuesday.

As previously announced by the Vatican, Pope Francis was discharged on Sunday, March 23, in the morning after spending 38 days in Gemelli Hospital due to a respiratory infection. This marked his first public appearance following his medical care and observation.

Pope Francis, who was hospitalized on Friday, February 14 with a respiratory tract infection that evolved into pneumonia, was discharged from the hospital on Sunday, March 23. He made a brief public appearance on the balcony of the hospital,