Pope Francis Discharged After Five-Week Hospitalization for Severe Pneumonia

Pope Francis Discharged After Five-Week: Pope Francis has been discharged from Gemelli hospital in Rome on Sunday. The pontiff was admitted on February 14 for a respiratory infection. This was his first public appearance in the last five weeks when he waved at the throng from the hospital balcony before leaving.

Pope Francis acknowledged well-wishers below, appearing fatigued as he used a wheelchair for the past few weeks and smiled.

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"I see this woman with the yellow flowers. Brava!" said a very tired-looking Francis, before giving a weak sign of the cross prompting him to be wheeled back in, Associated Press reported.

The pontiff had been admitted to Gemelli hospital on February 14 with a more severe respiratory infection that turned into a grave health crisis.

In a photo released by the Vatican last week, Francis was seen praying in the hospital chapel, as he had only appeared publicly once during his hospital stay.

According to AFP, this was the longest hospitalization since that date of his papacy and the fourth of his papacy since being elected in 2013.

Dr. Sergio Alfieri, one of Pope Francis' doctors, stated that the recovery time of the 88-year-old pontiff would be "at least two months."

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“Further progress will take place at his home, because a hospital— even if this seems strange— is the worst place to recover because it's where one can contract more infections,” Alfieri was quoted as saying by AFP.

His health condition was said by his doctors at two different times to have reached moments of "very critical" during which Pope on several occasions was on the brink of death, but conscious.

This week, Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin denied speculation about Francis resigning saying, "No, no, no, absolutely not."

People all around the world have prayed for the pope's quick recovery. Many have been presenting notes, candles, and flowers to Francis at the Gemelli hospital entrance.

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