Pope Francis to leave hospital on Saturday in time for Palm Sunday Mass

March 31 (UPI) -- Pope Francis is expected to be discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Saturday, allowing him to preside over Palm Sunday Mass at the Vatican, officials said on Friday.

"He is scheduled to leave the hospital tomorrow," Holy See Press Office Director Matteo Bruni said. "Pope Francis is expected to be present in St. Peter's Square for the Eucharistic celebration of Palm Sunday, Passion of the Lord."

Bruni said that the pope had been following a "normal clinical course" and had dinner Friday evening.

"In the evening Pope Francis had dinner, eating pizza, together with those who are assisting him during these days of his hospital stay."

The pope, who had been recovering from a bout with viral bronchitis, spent time on Friday with children being treated at the hospital, including some who were receiving treatment in the Gemelli Hospital's pediatric oncology ward.

"He brought them rosaries, chocolate Easter eggs and copies of an Italian book for children about Jesus, born in Jerusalem of Judaea," the statement said.

Francis was diagnosed with viral bronchitis after he was admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome following a scheduled check-up on Wednesday.

Francis has been seen in a wheelchair in recent months after suffering from sciatica and knee problems throughout his tenure as pope.

Francis previously spent 10 days at Gemmelli, where he had part of his colon removed due to diverticulosis in 2021.