First public appearance in five weeks; Pope Francis leaves hospital after meeting faithful

VATICAN: Pope Francis addressed the faithful in person for the first time after spending five weeks in hospital. He met the faithful from the fifth-floor balcony of the Gemelli Hospital in Rome. This is his first public appearance since being admitted to the hospital. Doctors who examined Pope Francis the other day had announced that he would be discharged from the hospital today as his health condition had improved.

Although his health has improved, doctors have advised him to rest for two months. Pope Francis greeted the faithful with a wave and a smile. He was admitted to the Gemelli Hospital on the 14th of last month due to a respiratory infection. The Pope has not been in public since his treatment. Recently, a picture of the Pope praying in a wheelchair in the hospital's prayer room was released. In the picture, he was wearing a white robe and a purple shawl. The Pope was immersed in prayer with his head bowed.

There have been many reports about his health in the past few days. The medical bulletin released last Saturday detailed that the Pope's health is improving. In a message he issued on Sunday, he acknowledged being fragile and "facing a period of trial. The faithful continue to pray for the Pope's recovery in the Vatican and in various parts of the world.