Pope Francis appeared at the window of the Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Sunday, offering a blessing for the first time since being admitted on February 14.
The 88-year-old pontiff was discharged shortly afterwards, and doctors advised that he would need at least two months of rest at the Vatican, BBC reports.
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, one of the doctors treating the Pope, revealed that during the past five weeks, Pope Francis experienced “two very critical episodes” where his “life was in danger.”
Dr. Alfieri clarified that the Pope was never intubated and remained alert and oriented throughout his hospital stay. Although he is not yet fully healed, the Pope no longer has pneumonia and could return to work soon if his recovery continues as expected, according to the doctors.
A crowd gathered outside the hospital on Sunday, eagerly awaiting the Pope’s appearance.
“When I saw him I felt, to be honest, a little relieved,” said Bishop Larry Kulick from the Diocese of Greensburg in Pennsylvania, US. “I felt just overjoyed to see him.”
“I cried all the time because the love we breathe in this little square of this hospital was like heaven,” said Ilaria Della Bidia, a singer from Rome.
Ana Matos from Brazil said she “just arrived from Brazil today” and reached the hospital “30 seconds before he appeared.” She described the moment as “an amazing feeling, like when I had my son. I was so happy to see him healthy and I could see him smile.”
Before Sunday, the Pope had been seen publicly only once since his hospitalisation, in a photograph released by the Vatican last week showing him praying in a hospital chapel.
Earlier this month, an audio recording of Pope Francis was played in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. His voice was breathless as he thanked the Catholic faithful for their prayers.
Pope Francis, who has led the Roman Catholic Church for 12 years, has faced several health challenges throughout his life. At age 21, he had part of one lung removed, making him more susceptible to respiratory infections.
