Pope Francis returned to the Vatican on Sunday after being discharged from the hospital where he spent more than five weeks being treated for breathing difficulties, but took time before leaving to thank well-wishers for their support.

Looking tired and worn, the pontiff sat in a wheelchair on one of the hospital balconies to say goodbye, waving softly to hundreds of people who had gathered below to wish the head of the Catholic Church a full recovery.

Pilgrims chanted his name at the first public sighting of Francis since February 14, when he was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital with breathing difficulties and a respiratory illness which developed into pneumonia.

“Thank you, everyone,” a weak-sounding Francis said into a microphone, as he waved his hands from his lap, doing an occasional thumbs-up sign.

“I can see that woman with yellow flowers, well done,” he said with a small smile, to laughter from the crowd.

Francis, who had bags under his eyes, was on the balcony for two minutes before being discharged from the hospital immediately afterwards.

He left by car wearing a cannula — a plastic tube tucked into his nostrils which delivers oxygen

– ‘Joy’ –

Seeing Pope Francis brought immense joy to many, including Larry James Kulick, a bishop from Pennsylvania, who shared his feelings with AFP. “It was a wonderful chance to see him, and I believe he truly felt the warmth of the people’s prayers and the chanting,” he remarked at the Gemelli hospital. “I hope it lifted his spirits, and I believe it did.

” Domenico Papisca Marra, a 69-year-old Catholic from Reggio Calabria in southern Italy, expressed his excitement upon hearing about Francis’s appearance. “I am truly delighted to have seen him… I have a deep admiration for Pope Francis,” he stated. The pope was spotted riding been driven in a white Fiat 500 L as he traveled past the Vatican to Santa Maria Maggiore, the church where he prays before and after his journeys. He later made his way back to the Vatican, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express her happiness over Francis’s return, sharing her “affection and gratitude for his tireless dedication and invaluable guidance.” This marked the pope’s fourth and longest hospital stay since his election in 2013. Having undergone lung surgery in his youth and lost weight during his hospitalization, Francis now faces a recovery period of at least two months.

The increasingly fragile state of Francis’s health has spurred speculation as to whether he could opt to step down and make way for a successor, as his predecessor Benedict XVI had done.

– ‘A period of rest’ –

The pope suffered repeat respiratory crises during his stay, leading doctors to perform bronchoscopies to remove secretions from his lungs and carry out a blood transfusion.

The seriousness of his condition was underlined by the release on March 6 of an audio recording of the pope in which — speaking in a weak and very breathless voice — he thanked the faithful praying for him.

Francis continued to do bits of work in hospital when possible, but his medical team has made it clear he will not be mingling with crowds or kissing babies soon.

On Saturday, Dr. Sergio Alfieri shared with reporters that, “Although it may seem counterintuitive, a hospital is actually the least conducive setting for recovery due to the increased risk of infections. Therefore, he will continue his recovery at home.” He also mentioned that, “During this recovery period, he will not be able to participate in his usual daily appointments.

– Questions over Easter –
Such restrictions are not expected to be easily borne by the Argentine pope, who previously carried out a packed schedule and took evident pleasure interacting with his flock.

Questions also remain over who might lead the busy schedule of religious events leading up to Easter — the holiest period in the Christian calendar.

Asked by reporters on Monday about speculation the pope could resign, Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin replied: “No, no, no. Absolutely not.”

At the most concerning stage of the pope’s hospitalisation, Francis spent several weeks on assisted breathing, with nasal tubes and an oxygen mask.

He twice suffered “very critical” moments during which his life was in danger but he remained conscious, his doctors said.