Pope Francis was on Sunday March 23 discharged from the hospital after five weeks of being treated for pneumonia complication.
The 88 years old Catholic head, who was admitted on February 14 at Gemelli University Hospital in Rome, Italy, following a bout of bronchitis, has arrived at the Vatican.
Before leaving the hospital, he had made a brief public appearance at its balcony during which waved, smiled and greeted well-wishers.
The pontiff, whose face was still swollen, appeared for only a few minutes.
With a feeble voice, the pontiff, whose was on wheel chair and face swollen, thanked an elderly woman in the crowd for bringing him yellow flowers.
Shortly before noon, he was driven from the hospital in a car, accompanied by a convoy of police vehicles to the Vatican.
The Vatican, had in a statement, on February 23, said the pope’s health had become critical.
“The Holy Father’s condition remains critical. The pope is not out of danger,” the statement said at the time.
End to Israeli attacks
Meanwhile, in his Angelus prayer released by the Vatican on Sunday, the Catholic pope demanded an “immediate” end to Israeli attacks on Gaza Strip, and for resumption of talks for the freedom of captives and a “definitive ceasefire.”
He said, “I am saddened by the resumption of the intense Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip with so many deaths and injuries.
“I ask that the weapons be silenced immediately and that the courage be found to resume dialogue so that all the hostages can be freed and a definitive ceasefire reached.
“The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is once again very serious and requires the urgent commitment of the conflicting parties and the international community.”