Pope Francis Makes First Public Appearance After Prolonged Hospitalization

Pope Francis made his first public appearance in five weeks from the balcony of Rome's Gemelli hospital, where he had been treated for a severe case of double pneumonia. The 88-year-old pontiff, who was hospitalized on February 14, expressed gratitude to the crowd gathered below and confirmed his discharge to return to the Vatican for a two-month period of rest and rehabilitation. His stay was marked by critical health episodes that raised concerns about his well-being, yet he remained alert and oriented throughout his treatment. Doctors confirmed that while he is stable and pneumonia-free, he requires time to recover fully, including relearning how to speak normally. Francis's personal physician expressed optimism that with continued improvement, he could eventually resume his usual duties. The Pope's return home has been met with joy and relief from supporters who feared for his health during his hospitalization.