VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis, hospitalized since February 14 with pneumonia, continues to actively lead the Catholic Church while managing a complex lung infection. The Vatican announced Saturday that the 88-year-old pontiff will make his first live appearance Sunday from his hospital suite to bless the faithful [1].

Despite his five-week hospitalization at Gemelli hospital, Francis has maintained papal authority through regular administrative duties. The Pope has appointed over a dozen bishops, approved new saints, authorized a three-year reform extension, and issued both public and private messages [2,3].

Francis's approach reflects his 12-year pattern of normalizing the papacy while preserving its authority. 'We must get used to being normal. The normality of life,' he stated in 2013, when he made headlines for carrying his own briefcase [4].

The Pope's transparency about his health challenges marks a departure from traditional papal practices. Dr. Nelson Castro, who authored 'The Health of Popes' at Francis's suggestion, noted: 'Only a man of power, feeling quite sure of himself, would dare to talk about his diseases so openly' [3].

While some conservative critics question his leadership style and health status, canon lawyer Kurt Martens of Catholic University of America affirms Francis remains firmly in control: 'We're used to seeing a pope who is everywhere all the time. But don't forget that in the past, not that long ago, popes would show up only rarely' [5].