Pope Francis on Sunday made his first public appearance since being admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for medical care last month.
“Thank you to everyone,” the pontiff said from the balcony of his room at the hospital, according to Vatican News, the press arm of the Holy See.
Francis then gave the crowd of about 3,000 people gathered outside a thumbs up before he was escorted out of the hospital to his usual white Fiat 500L.
“When I saw him, I felt, to be honest, a little relieved,” Larry Kulick, a bishop in Pennsylvania, told the BBC. “I felt just overjoyed to see him.”
On his way to the Vatican, Francis stopped at Rome’s Basilica of Saint Mary Major where he met with Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas and handed him flowers to be placed before the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani as thanks “for her care and protection.”
Pope Francis, 88, was hospitalized on Feb. 14 with bronchitis that developed into bilateral pneumonia. Over the course of his five-week stay, he suffered several respiratory crises, including two life-threatening episodes.
Despite the severity of his condition, Francis remained conscious and alert throughout his hospitalisation. He continued performing papal duties from his hospital room, maintaining communication with Vatican officials and issuing statements during his recovery.
Sergio Alfieri, one of the doctors treating the Pope, said at a Saturday press conference that Francis will need at least two months of rest at the Vatican to recover, but no longer has pneumonia.
Health officials said that Francis’ voice is recovering, he is in good spirits and had asked to be discharged. He has been advised to resume his work gradually.
Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, one of the pope’s closest aides, said Friday that Francis will need ongoing rehabilitation therapy to strengthen his voice. UPI
