Rome (Italy) - 88-year-old Pope Francis is on the road to recovery, but still has a few hurdles ahead of him. After weeks of treatment for severe pneumonia in hospital, the head of the Catholic Church apparently has to relearn how to speak.

After five weeks in hospital, Pope Francis is slowly recovering, but the intensive oxygen therapy has left its mark, as Reuters reports.

"The Pope is doing very well, but the high oxygen levels are drying everything out. He has to relearn how to speak, but his general physical condition is the same as before," explained Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez.

A short audio recording of the Pope had only been released at the beginning of March. In it, his voice sounded broken and barely understandable. Since then, believers around the world have been eagerly awaiting a new sign of life from the pontiff.

One question is on the minds of many: Will he resign from office? "I really don't think so, no", Cardinal Fernandez reassured.

Despite everything, the health of the head of the Church remains a sensitive issue. In recent years, Pope Francis has repeatedly struggled with problems. As a young man, he suffered pleurisy and had to have part of his lung removed.

It is still unclear when the Pope will return home. Easter is just around the corner, but the doctors want to be sure first.

According to AFP, however, he will make his first public appearance on Sunday. He will give a blessing and wave from the window of the Gemelli Hospital in Rome .