Pope Francis greeted some three thousand faithful gathered in the square in front of the entrance to Rome’s Gemelli hospital, saying “thank you to everyone!”.
Francis, 88, went to hospital on February 14 with a severe respiratory infection that became the most serious health crisis of his 12-year papacy.
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!”.
“Thank you to everyone!” the Pope said with a faint voice.
A greeting had been planned, but the Pope wished to greet them more with his presence then with his voice still affected by the respiratory therapies he has been undergoing.
His gaze moved from one side of the square to the other, when he noticed an Italian lady holding a bouquet of yellow flowers to celebrate the occasion. The Pope remarked that he could see her with the yellow flowers and he waved to her in gratitude.
Before appearing on the hospital balcony, Pope Francis also greeted and thanked the Policlinico Agostino Gemelli doctors, staff and leadership.
The pope’s doctors said on Saturday it would still take “a lot of time” for his aging body to fully heal, and said they had prescribed the pontiff a further two months of rest at the Vatican. A car carrying Francis left the hospital shortly after noon on Sunday, and was accompanied through Rome by a convoy of police vehicles.
He then headed to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major where he met with Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Coadjutor Archpriest of the Papal Basilica, giving him flowers to be placed before the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani as a sign of his gratitude for her care and protection.
Soon after leaving the balcony following his brief greeting, the crowd moved towards the entrance of the hospital to catch a glimpse of the Pope as he departed in his usual white Fiat 500L. More greetings and cheers accompanied his departure.
(Agencies; AP)
