Pope Francis, 88, has made his first public appearance in over five weeks, greeting the faithful from a hospital window before being discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. His hospitalization, the longest of his papacy, was due to a severe case of double pneumonia that led to multiple health scares.
Despite his frail condition, the Pope took a moment to honor the Virgin Mary by having a bouquet placed at a revered icon inside the Basilica of Saint Mary Major—a tradition he has upheld throughout his pontificate.
Doctors have emphasized that his recovery will take time, requiring at least two months of rest, supplemental oxygen, and round-the-clock medical supervision. While his voice remains weak due to lung damage, medical experts remain hopeful for his gradual return to strength.
This hospitalization marks the second-longest stay for a pope in modern history, following St. John Paul II’s 55-day hospitalization in 1981. As Pope Francis returns to the Vatican, his health remains a focal point for Catholics worldwide.
