Pope greets crowds before leaving hospital in Rome

Pope Francis made his first public appearance in five weeks yesterday before being discharged from the hospital, where he had survived a severe case of pneumonia that twice threatened his life.

- BARNEY DAVIS

The 88-year-old pontiff waved and gave a big thumbs up as he said “thank you, thank you, everyone” to those who gathered below his window, including patients wheeled outside to see him deliver a Sunday blessing from Rome’s Gemelli hospital.

Using a wheelchair, as he has for several years, the Pope, whose face looked swollen, smiled and waved at the well-wishers. “I see this woman with the yellow flowers. Brava!” Francis said through a microphone held up to him. He gave a weak sign of the cross before being wheeled back inside.