Pope Francis made a public appearance on a hospital balcony, blessing a crowd in his first outing after five weeks of recovery from a serious pneumonia condition. The 88-year-old pontiff, who has struggled with chronic lung issues and had a lung removed in his youth, acknowledged supporters from the balcony of Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where a large gathering had formed on a sunny Sunday morning, enthusiastically chanting, “Viva il papa!” and “Papa Francesco!”
His appearance marked the lead-up to his imminent discharge and return to the Vatican for a two-month recuperative period. Pope Francis had been hospitalised since February 14 due to bronchitis, which escalated into a more severe respiratory infection involving both bacterial and viral elements, ultimately resulting in pneumonia in both lungs.
This hospitalisation was the longest of his papacy, spanning 38 days, and was notable within recent papal history as well, sparking concerns regarding his potential resignation or even passing.