Pope Francis appeared in public for the first time since his hospitalization on February 14, greeting supporters from a balcony at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Sunday. The 88-year-old pontiff had been receiving treatment for pneumonia for five weeks.
Seated in a wheelchair, Pope Francis waved gently to the crowd below and expressed his thanks, saying, “Thank you, everyone,” in a weak voice while giving a thumbs-up. His appearance marked the final step before his discharge from the hospital.
