Pope Francis made his first public appearance in five weeks yesterday, coming to a balcony of Rome’s Gemelli Hospital to wave and give a blessing to believers who had gathered below. Source: Crux.
He came to the balcony in a wheelchair as the crowd below, estimated to be around 5-600 people, chanted his name and cheered.
Francis appeared rested but visibly fatigued by the effort, waving and flashing a few thumbs up. When he asked for the microphone, he said he spotted an elderly woman in the crowd holding a bouquet, saying with a raspy voice, “Thanks to everyone. I see a woman with yellow flowers, she’s great!” The woman became emotional.
Pope Francis gave his blessing from the second floor of Gemelli Hospital after the publication of his regular Sunday Angelus address, usually delivered in person from the window of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, but which for the past six Sundays he has published without making an appearance given his health condition.
Prior to the blessing, he briefly greeted the staff and the top management of the Catholic University and the Gemelli Hospital.
He was admitted to the Gemelli Hospital February 14 for treatment of a complex respiratory infection and double pneumonia.
After giving the blessing following the publication of his address, Pope Francis was discharged around 12.15pm local time.
His convoy delivered him to the Vatican in a white Ford Fiat 500, halted and appeared momentarily confused, before setting off once again across town in order to take him to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, his favourite of the Roman basilicas and home to the famed icon Maria Salus Populi Romani, or Health of the Roman People.
At a press conference on Saturday announcing his discharge, doctors said the Pope initially presented with “acute respiratory failure” and twice during his 38-day hospital stay experienced respiratory crises that put his life at risk.
However, the 88-year-old pontiff has made what many consider to be a remarkable recovery despite his close calls, though he has been ordered by doctors to observe a two-month period of rest after returning to his Vatican residence Sunday.
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Pope Francis appears at hospital window, then diverts traffic to visit Roman basilica (By Elise Ann Allen, Crux)
