Pope Francis has been discharged from the Gemelli Hospital in Rome after being admitted for three days due to bronchitis, which led to breathing difficulties.
The Vatican had earlier stated that he was responding to antibiotics and would be released on Saturday, pending the results of some tests. The 86-year-old pontiff was seen leaving the hospital on Saturday morning, smiling and waving to reporters and well-wishers before heading back to the Vatican.
“I wasn’t frightened, I’m still alive,” the Pope joked to the crowd gathered outside the hospital.
Pope Francis had been admitted to the hospital ahead of the busiest week in the Christian calendar, Holy Week, which includes a busy schedule of events and services that can be physically demanding. However, the Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, had said that the Pope was expected to participate in this weekend’s Palm Sunday service.
“I can confirm that, since he is scheduled to leave the hospital tomorrow [Saturday], Pope Francis is expected to be present in St Peter’s Square on Sunday for the Eucharistic celebration of Palm Sunday, the Passion of the Lord,” Bruni said in a statement on Friday.
Following his discharge, the Pope returned to the Santa Marta, the papal residence within the Vatican.
Pope Francis, who marked his 10th year as the head of the Catholic Church earlier this month, has faced several health issues in his lifetime, including having part of one of his lungs removed at the age of 21.
In recent months, he has used a wheelchair due to problems related to his knee. Nonetheless, the Pope has remained active, visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan in February and leading the funeral of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, in January.
