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Pope Francis out of hospital after life-threatening illness

Wesley Rahn with dpa, AFP, Reuters
March 23, 2025

Before being discharged, the pontiff greeted crowds from a balcony at Rome's Gemelli hospital where he had been treated for severe pneumonia.

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Pope Frances waves
Pope Francis thanked a crowd and waved from a Rome hospital balcony before being dischargedImage: Domenico Stinellis/AP/picture alliance

Pope Francis on Sunday gave a blessing to a crowd gathered under a balcony at Rome's Gemelli hospital in his first public outing in over five weeks. 

He was hospitalized on February 14 after breathing problems developed into a severe respiratory infection.

The 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church waved from the balcony and gave a thumbs up.

"Thank you, everyone," Francis said into a microphone, sounding frail as he sat in a wheelchair. 

Chants of "Viva il papa!" and "Papa Francesco" erupted from the crowd.

He was released from the hospital after greeting the crowd.

Pope Francis gives a thumbs up on Sunday, March 23
Doctors say the pope will need at least two months of rest after battling a severe lung infection Image: Domenico Stinellis/AP/picture alliance

He was seen waving from the closed window of a car, wearing a device that delivers oxygen through the nostrils. 

Before returning home to the Vatican, security guards told the AP news agency that Francis would head St. Mary Major basilica to pray. The Rome basilica is home to his favorite icon of the Madonna.

Two-month recovery time expected

On Saturday, the pope's doctors it would still take "a lot of time" for him to recover. The medical team has recommended a two-month period of rest and convalescence at the Vatican.

At one point, Francis was in critical condition with double pneumonia.

He already had chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man.

Catholics flock to Vatican to pray for pope's recovery

Edited by: Darko Janjevic 

Wesley Rahn Editor and reporter focusing on geopolitics and current affairs