Originally published at National Catholic Register
ANALYSIS: The Holy Father is accustomed to a busy daily schedule, frequent travel abroad, and a hands-on governing style. Adjusting to a new reality won’t be easy.
Pope Francis is back at the Vatican after spending 38 days in the hospital, his longest stay yet. Doctors have said he now needs at least two months of rest, during which he should avoid large gatherings. But they also noted that he remained mentally active throughout his hospitalization, and they expect him to keep working during recovery.
Nevertheless, this marks a turning point. The convalescence that began Sunday will be unlike anything in the 88-year-old Pontiff’s 12-year reign.
The Pope has described himself as incorrigibly gregarious, a trait reflected in his decision to live at the Santa Marta guesthouse rather than the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace. Until recently, the Pope regularly dined in the guesthouse dining hall and, until his mobility declined a couple of years ago, he often mingled or chatted with other guests.
He kept a demanding schedule, often holding several official meetings in a single morning, plus informal encounters and personal calls in the afternoon. The same day he was hospitalized last month, he held five
