Pope Francis left Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Sunday after surviving a life-threatening bout of pneumonia, marking his first public appearance in five weeks. The 88-year-old pope waved to hundreds gathered outside the hospital before being wheeled out onto a balcony overlooking the main entry.
Chants of “Viva il papa!” and “Papa Francesco” filled the air as Francis gave a thumbs up and acknowledged the crowd. He was heading to St. Mary Major basilica, where his favorite icon of the Madonna is located, before beginning two months of rest and convalescence at home.
Francis had been battling bronchitis and double pneumonia since February 14, with doctors describing his hospitalization as a “rollercoaster” of setbacks, including respiratory crises and mild kidney failure. However, he made slow but progressive improvements, earning praise from medical officials.
“After his discharge, Francis will continue medication for a long time and observe at least two months of rest,” said Dr. Luigi Carbone, the pope’s personal doctor. The Vatican has prepared assistance to ensure Francis’ smooth return to normal activity.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pope-francis-hospital-appearance-release-vatican