Pope Francis is set to be released from Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome on Sunday after a 38-day hospitalization for treatment of a serious pneumonia infection affecting both lungs.

Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the medical director of the hospital, shared this information during a press briefing on Saturday.

The pope was first admitted on February 14 for bronchitis, which subsequently escalated into a more severe form of pneumonia.

Hospital officials report that Francis has shown consistent improvement in recent weeks, and his condition is currently stable.

As he returns to the Vatican, doctors have recommended at least two months of rest and rehabilitation.

The pope will continue to receive physical and respiratory therapy and remains on medication.

He no longer needs mechanical ventilation at night and is increasingly decreasing his dependence on high-flow nasal oxygen throughout the day.

On Sunday, Francis is expected to make a public appearance from a hospital window, his first in over five weeks.

The weekly Angelus prayer will be broadcast as usual, although it will not be read aloud by the pope himself.

The Vatican announced on Friday that his respiratory and motor functions are slowly improving.

A formal medical update is expected on Monday.