Pope Francis to offer blessing from hospital window in first public appearance in weeks
Francis, who is battling double pneumonia, will appear at his room window at Rome 's Gemelli Hospital on Sunday.
The 88-year-old was admitted to the hospital on Valentine's Day with a severe respiratory infection. His illness has required evolving treatment.
The pope has only been seen by the public once during his hospital stay, in a photo the Vatican released last week, showing the pontiff at prayer in a hospital chapel.
Francis wants to come to the hospital window around noon on Sunday to give a greeting and blessing, the Vatican said in a brief statement on Saturday.
The pope usually offers a weekly noon-time prayer in St. Peter's Square on Sundays. Francis has not been able to do this since February 9, before going to hospital.
The Vatican said Francis was not expected to deliver the prayer this Sunday, in a sign that the pope is still recovering from pneumonia, but would come to the window for a greeting.
Francis is prone to lung infections because he had pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed.
His hospitalization has been the most serious health crisis of his 12-year papacy, and the longest he has been out of public view since his election as pontiff in 2013.
The latest Vatican bulletins about the pope's medical condition have been cautiously upbeat. On Friday, the Vatican said Francis had been reducing his use of high-flow oxygen to help breathe.
One senior cardinal, however, said on Friday that it could take time for the pope to " relearn to speak" after using oxygen during his hospital stay.
"The pope is doing very well, but high-flow oxygen dries everything out," said Cardinal Victor Fernandez, the Vatican's chief doctrine official. "He needs to relearn how to speak, but his overall physical condition is as it was before."
The Vatican has not given a timeframe for the pope's discharge from hospital, but plans for a meeting with Britain's King Charles on April 8 have raised the possibility that Francis could be back at his Vatican residence by then.
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Daily Mirror
09-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
'I got a call from doctors at 7am asking if there was cancer in my family'
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Megan, from Sittingbourne in Kent, went for a consultation at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore. She was told that doctors suspected the tumour was cancerous, but that they wouldn't know until they'd conducted a biopsy. 'By that point, everything felt surreal,' she says. 'It was unexplainable; I thought everything was against me. The doctor prepared me for the worst, but my doctor was really positive, which helped.' Megan then faced an anxious wait for surgery. Experts made a custom tool to remove the tumour - but by the time the operation took place, the mass had grown so much that it couldn't be used. The surgery on January 28 was long and complicated, but it was a success. 'At first, I was supposed to have a small operation, which would have only had a four-week-long recovery,' she says. 'But on the day of my operation, I found out that they just kind of went in and removed everything as they probably suspected the cancer was already there. 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I just thought there's no point in me asking 'why has this happened to me? 'I had to keep positive because being sad wasn't going to change anything. So I just kind of stayed strong for it all. I used to be a lot more emotional before my diagnosis, and I'd cry over nothing. But I think it made me realise that my worries previously weren't real worries at all. 'I stayed strong for me, my family, and my friends. It could have been a lot worse. I was also really worried about amputation. I googled chondrosarcoma and just saw lots of girls having their legs amputated. That was really scary and I was having panic attacks. It's frightening to think about losing part of your body.' Megan was able to go home three days after receiving the diagnosis without needing any further treatment. Despite having to learn to walk again, eager to move on from the traumatic illness and in desperate need of distraction, she started a new marketing job one week after surgery. 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Scottish Sun
21-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Doctors said my baby boy had colic – now he lives with a lifelong seizure disorder and too many brain tumours to count
Thomas, now 13, has daily seizures - sometimes lasting up to three hours at a time - and uses a wheelchair DEVASTATING IMPACT Doctors said my baby boy had colic – now he lives with a lifelong seizure disorder and too many brain tumours to count Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHEN five-month-old Thomas Ward began screaming inconsolably on Valentine's Day in 2012, doctors told his mum Philippa that he likely had colic and might be teething. Nine days later, 'the bottom fell out' of Philippa's world when her son was diagnosed with a genetic disorder that causes tumours to form on numerous organs, including the brain. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Thomas has a genetic disorder which causes tumours to grow on his brain 6 Doctors initially told his mum Philippa that he likely had colic or was teething Thomas is now 13 and has "more tumours than doctors can count". His devastating condition impacts nearly every aspect of his life, causing developmental delays, terrifying three-hour seizures, and the need for a wheelchair. Here, Philippa, 47, a communications professional from York, tells their story… 'YOU can't possibly think Thomas is having seizures, can you?' I will never forget the response from the out-of-hours doctor when I took my then-five-month-old son to the hospital one weekend in February 2012 after he began behaving unusually, crying incessantly and making strange, jerky movements. We were dismissed and told it was likely a simple case of colic - when a baby cries a lot but there is no obvious cause - or that he might be teething. Unhappy with this outcome, and as the symptoms continued, a few days later I took Thomas to see our local GP. She agreed he was behaving unusually and wrote to the paediatrician at the local hospital. 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As we were leaving, the neurologist handed us a leaflet from the Tuberous Sclerosis Association (TSA) - the UK charity dedicated to helping families affected by TSC. It felt like a strange consolation prize after receiving such a massive, life-changing diagnosis, but it became a lifeline, signposting to many of the resources and support available to us. We also joined a newly-formed Facebook group for other parents of children with TSC, and through that met some people who have gone on to become friends. But TSC continues to affect us every single day. There is nothing more heartbreaking than hearing a toddler shout: 'Seizure, seizure!' Philippa Ward Thomas is now 13, and like many people with TSC, he experiences seizures most days. At one point, Thomas was having up to eight seizures a day. Today, he typically still has at least one, usually right after waking up. They can last up to three hours at a time. He is not able to verbally communicate and has delayed motor skills. He often uses a wheelchair for outings to ensure his safety. Thomas requires regular medical scans and monitoring to track his tumours - there are now too many on his brain to count. He has been on numerous anti-epileptic medications, but none have fully relieved him from the exhausting seizures. TSC has put our entire family on a rollercoaster ride. As parents, there has been so much to learn about having a child with complex medical and developmental needs. FAMILY IMPACT It is especially difficult for us to witness the effect on our elder son, Ben. By age three, he could recognise a seizure and learned to alert us if Thomas was having one. There is nothing more heartbreaking than hearing a toddler shout: 'Seizure, seizure!' Ben, now 15, is very aware of his brother's needs. He understands the importance of being quiet in the evenings so Thomas can sleep. There are many activities we can't do as a family due to safety and accessibility issues. As a young carer, Carers UK provides him with support and resources when needed. 6 The now-13-year-old has seizures every day, sometimes lasting three hours at a time 6 He is a 'lovely young man with a vibrant personality', his mum says Despite the challenges Thomas has faced throughout his life, he remains a lovely young man with a vibrant personality and clear passions. He is a remarkable problem solver and even though he cannot speak, he is able to communicate very effectively when he wants something. He's a gentle and affectionate soul and a joy to be around. Thomas' favourite foods are chips, toast and avocado - he also loves ketchup and mayonnaise. He enjoys going on train rides, car journeys, watching YouTube videos and listening to music. His favourite person in the world is his big brother. One of the most important things we've learned since Thomas' diagnosis is the importance of community, especially one that understands your unique circumstances. What is tuberous sclerosis complex? ABOUT one million people worldwide are living with tuberous sclerosis complex, and up to 11,000 are diagnosed in the UK. It causes non-cancerous tumours to grow on the brain, as well as the eyes, heart, skin, kidneys and lungs. These tumours, which impact the central nervous system, can result in cognitive impairment, developmental delays, behavioural problems, autism, and seizures, which often can't be controlled by standard medicines. The condition can also cause skin abnormalities (such as patches of light-coloured or thickened skin, or red acne-like spots on the face), breathing difficulties, hyperactivity, kidney issues and a build-up of fluid on the brain. TSC is present from birth, although it may not cause obvious problems immediately. It is caused by changes in either the TSC1 or TSC2 gene, which are involved in regulating cell growth. There is no cure, but medicine, surgery and educational support can help. Many people with TSC will have a normal lifespan, although a number of life-threatening complications can develop. These include a loss of kidney function, a serious lung infection called bronchopneumonia and a severe type of epileptic seizure called status epilepticus. Patients may also have an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer, such as kidney cancer, but this is rare. Source: NHS Families impacted by serious conditions, especially rare diseases, often find themselves feeling isolated and alone in the weeks and months following a diagnosis. We are hugely fortunate to have our own family close by, and they are a great support to us, as is the wider TSC community around the UK and beyond. Since Thomas' diagnosis, I have done everything in my power to advocate for TSC awareness. I took part in the Great North Run to raise money for the TSA, have spoken at conferences and awareness events, shared our family's story with my workplace, and advocated for the TSC community within the NHS. There are a number of messages that I hope people take away from our family's story. Firstly, research for rare diseases like TSC is critical. While only between 3,700 and 11,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with TSC, each of these diagnoses impacts everyone in the patient's life. 'On constant alert' Having a treatment for TSC would be amazing. Thomas' frequent seizures require everyone in our house to be on constant alert. It's not easy, but Thomas is a wonderful young man, and he makes it all worthwhile. We remain hopeful that there will one day be a treatment that can improve Thomas' quality of life - and ours. I also want to remind parents of children with TSC, or any rare disease, of the importance of living in the present. When your child is diagnosed with a condition like TSC, it's understandable to ask: Why does my child have this disease? What will our future look like? We immediately begin grieving the child we thought we would have. I still don't fully understand why Thomas has TSC, but David and I are able to find tremendous joy in our lives with our son every day. The best things we can do are keep him safe, meet him where he is, help him enjoy life, and love every part of who he is. I look forward to the day when Thomas and others with TSC can access safe and effective treatment options. Until then, I am committed to making the world more inclusive and understanding.
Wales Online
16-06-2025
- Wales Online
Our toddler was given five years to live but he didn't show any serious symptoms that whole time
Our toddler was given five years to live but he didn't show any serious symptoms that whole time 'My son died on Valentine's Day. It's awful others don't have support we did' Jackie Fears with her eldest son Greg (Image: Ty Hafan ) A mum-of-three whose son was tragically diagnosed with a life-limiting condition aged just two said it breaks her heart to think there are other families who don't have the support she did when her son was unwell. Jackie Fears, from Church Village, near Pontypridd, has bravely opened up about her eldest son Greg. The young man, described as "such a character" with the "most enigmatic smile" by his family, sadly died on Valentine's Day in 2023. "I honestly feel that when Greg died, part of me went with him," Jackie said. Get the latest Ponty news first by signing up to our newsletter here At the age of two, Greg was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension – a life-shortening heart and lung condition – with a prognosis that he would only live for a further five or so years. "My husband, Paul, and I were devastated and I felt that I was going to pieces," she said. A young Greg at the fairground (Image: Ty Hafan ) Article continues below Greg, however, suffered no serious symptoms of his condition until he was 15, and it was then that he and his family started to receive support from Tŷ Hafan. "This is the only place where I could just be his mum. And it was so nice to let the carer part of me go for the time that we were here – I could just be his mum," Jackie said. Greg, in fact, lived well beyond the initial prognosis of five years, cared for at home by Jackie. "When you're at home caring day to day, it can be very isolating. It's the uncertainty and the worry," she explained. In later years, and especially after the pandemic, Tŷ Hafan's gardens became Greg's "safe space". In July 2022, Greg had a stroke and Jackie said: "It was then just a question of time." Greg died on Valentine's Day 2023, surrounded by his family, and supported by Tŷ Hafan. 'Having Tŷ Hafan in our lives has been totally life-changing,' Jackie explained. 'It is worrying caring day-to-day. There were times which were far more challenging than others. But if you've got somewhere to turn to, to even just talk it through, it stops that awful feeling of isolation." Jackie said that she doesn't know what her family would have done without the support of Ty Hafan (Image: Ty Hafan ) Jackie added that the ongoing support Ty Hafan have provided since Greg's death has made a "real difference". She said: "It's been two years and nearly four months since we lost Greg. But to me, that's no time at all. "I don't think that anything prepares you for when it actually happens. Grief affects you in so many ways - such a complex and confusing and messy emotion. I am moving further away from a time that I was actually with Greg, that I held his hand. "I honestly feel that when Greg died, part of me went with him. And it doesn't mean to say you don't feel joy like with the birth of our grandson, but the sadness is still there and you're not moving on, you are moving forward. "All the things that are going to happen like our son and his girlfriend are getting married, but it's always going to be without Greg so to have Ty Hafan to turn to when it gets just a little bit too much has made a real difference." Each year, Tŷ Hafan supports around 300 children with life-shortening conditions and around 3,000 family members by providing specialist palliative care addressing the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of each member of the family. From diagnosis to bereavement, Tŷ Hafan is there for the family as long as they need, through life, death and beyond. However, Tŷ Hafan is only able to help 1 in 10 families who need support. "I find it really upsetting and it actually breaks my heart to think that alongside us there are nine other families who aren't accessing the support we have had. I'm not sure how we would have coped doing this on our own," Jackie said. Tracy Jones, director of family wellbeing and outreach services at Tŷ Hafan, said: 'No family should have to live their child's short life alone. 'We know that there are many more children with life-shortening conditions and their families, like Greg's, who could really benefit from our support but who are currently having to manage the fear and isolation that comes with having a very ill child on their own. 'As we mark the start of Children's Hospice Week today, while we want to take time to celebrate our work here at Tŷ Hafan, we also want to remind people that there is still so much more to do and there are so many more families who need our support.' For more information and to make a donation go to Article continues below
