The Pope addressed the public from the balcony for the first time after 37 days of hospitalization

The Pope, sitting in a wheelchair, addressed the faithful gathered in the square in front of the "Gemelli" with words of greeting from the microphone.

UNN reports with reference to ANSA and Euronews.

After being in the Agostino Gemelli hospital for more than a month due to bilateral pneumonia, Pope Francis appeared in public on Sunday. The 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church was taken in a wheelchair to the balcony of the university hospital in Rome. With a trembling voice, he briefly thanked everyone for their support. He looked very weak. Thousands of people cheered him from below.

Francis, Francis, - greeted him the faithful who gathered under the balcony of the polyclinic, even applauded.

Many sang in chorus with emotion.

At a surprise press conference on Saturday, the hospital medical staff announced that the Pope had recovered from pneumonia, but he needed to rest.

Sergio Alfieri, director of the Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of Gemelli, explained at a press conference that polymicrobial infections take time and that the Pope will return to speaking as before. 

It is not yet known whether he will be able to participate in the celebration of Easter next month. In his Santa Marta residence in the Vatican, the Pope will continue to receive oxygen through a tube in his nose. In addition, respiratory and motor therapy is ongoing.

Let us remind

UNN reported that Pope Francis, hospitalized with a respiratory infection, will be discharged on Sunday. The pontiff planned to address the faithful from the hospital ward tomorrow and give a blessing.

Earlier, UNN reported that Pope Francis continues treatment at Gemelli Hospital. There are slight improvements in breathing and motor skills, he is undergoing pharmacological therapy and physiotherapy.