Rome: Pope Francis appeared for the first time on Sunday since his hospitalization from the balcony of Rome's Gemelli Hospital, before leaving the facility where he had been since February 14, reported the official Vatican News.
The Pope greeted those present, imparted his blessing and gave the ‘thumbs up’ to the nearly three thousand people gathered in the square below who were applauding his appearance and release from hospital where he was treated for pneumonia.
The doctors have prescribed the pontiff, who is aged 88, a further two months of rest at the Vatican. They said on Saturday it would still take “a lot of time” for his aging body to fully heal.
He said just a few words from a small balcony just above the crowds gathered below. With effort, his hands resting on his knees, he then lifted them to bless the crowds, followed by waving and smiling to those below who were shouting, “Francesco, Francesco!”, “We love you!”, “We’re here for you!”
Before appearing on the hospital balcony, Pope Francis also greeted and thanked the Policlinico Agostino Gemelli doctors, staff and leadership.
