Pope Francis greets crowds before leaving hospital + video link

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Source: Vatican Media

Jubilant crowds greeted the Holy Father this morning as he made his first public appearance in 38 days - sitting a wheelchair on a balcony of the Gemelli Hospital in Rome. He smiled, waved and gave a brief thumbs up and then said: "I see a lady with yellow flowers. Brava! - before giving his blessing.

See: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy4ujJcwxu0

Before appearing on the hospital balcony, Pope Francis also briefly greeted the staff and leaders of the Catholic University and the Policlinico Gemelli.

More greetings and cheers accompanied his departure after the Angelus. On his way back to Casa Santa Marta, the Pope made a brief stop at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where he met with Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Coadjutor Archpriest of the Papal Basilica, giving him flowers to be placed before the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani as a sign of his gratitude for her care and protection.

The Holy Father now begins two months of convalescence at his residence.