Pope Francis joked “I’m still alive” as he left hospital following treatment for a respiratory infection.
The 86-year-old left on Saturday morning after being admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Wednesday to be treated for bronchitis.
He consoled a crying woman and signed a boy’s cast before leaving the hospital grounds in a white car.
“I wasn’t frightened, I’m still alive,” he said in a light-hearted remark to reporters outside the hospital, before entering the vehicle.
The Vatican confirmed the pontiff will be at St Peter’s Square for Palm Sunday Mass to mark the start of Holy Week.
Pope Francis – who had part of one lung removed as a young man – had complained of breathing difficulties before being admitted to hospital on Wednesday for tests.
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“The tests showed a respiratory infection (COVID-19 infection excluded) that will require some days of medical therapy,” a statement said.
On Thursday, spokesman Matteo Bruni said the Pope had rested well overnight and was working from his room at the hospital.
While in hospital, the pontiff baptised a baby during a visit to a paediatric oncology ward, where he also brought children rosaries, chocolate easter eggs and copies of an Italian book for children about Jesus.
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Pope baptises baby during hospital stay
Previous health conditions
Pope Francis previously spent 10 days at the Gemelli hospital in 2021 following surgery for an intestinal narrowing, when 33cm (13in) of his colon was removed.
He used a wheelchair for over a year due to strained ligaments in his right knee and a small knee fracture. He has said the injury was healing and he has been walking more with a cane lately.
He said he resisted having surgery for the knee problems because he did not respond well to general anaesthetic during the 2021 intestinal surgery.
