VATICAN CITY: After being diagnosed with pneumonia, Pope Francis was in the Gemelli Hospital in Rome for 38 days. Dr Sergio Alfieri, the head of the team that treated him, has now revealed that the Pope had come close to death during that time. He also said that at one point, the doctors even considered stopping treatment to allow the Pope to pass away peacefully. Dr Alfieri said this in an interview with a newspaper.

"The Pope frequently faced severe breathing difficulties throughout his treatment. At one stage, it was believed that he might not survive. However, Massimiliano Strappetti, the nurse who had been with the Pope for years, sent a message urging us to try every possible option and not to give up. As a result, we tried all available treatments and medications, including very strong drugs that could potentially damage the kidneys and marrow. Soon after, his body responded to the medications," Dr. Alfieri said.

While the Pope’s health has since improved, doctors have recommended that he take two months of rest. Pope Francis was admitted to Gemelli Hospital on February 14, where he was diagnosed with pneumonia. On March 23, the Pope addressed the faithful from the balcony of the hospital's fifth floor after a five-week stay at the hospital. He greeted and blessed the people, smiling and waving his hand.

Recently, a photo of Pope Francis praying in a wheelchair in the hospital's prayer room had surfaced. In the picture, he was seen wearing a white robe and a purple shawl, with his head bowed in prayer.