POPE RETURNS
Frail Pope Francis waves from hospital window to cheering crowd as he’s released after nearly dying from pneumonia
Francis is set to return to the Vatican today
A FRAIL Pope Francis has waved from a window to ecstatic followers as he was seen for the first time in public since he was hospitalised a month ago.
The Holy Father appeared briefly behind a glass balcony on the fifth floor at Gemelli University Hospital in Rome where he greeted and blessed a waiting crowd.
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He looked sickly as he sat in a wheelchair but he made the appearance without the assistance of oxygen.
Francis blessed the crowd, thanked them for coming to speak to him, and pointed out a woman who had brought yellow flowers to wish him well.
Speaking briefly and weakly, he said: "Thank you, everyone... I see this woman with the yellow flowers. Brava!"
He gave a weak sign of the cross before being wheeled back inside.
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Chants of "Viva il papa!" and "Papa Francesco" erupted from the crowd, which included patients who had been wheeled outside just to catch his brief appearance.
The head of the Catholic Church had been staying on the 10th floor in the papal suite, but appeared on the fifth which was reportedly more suitable for a wheelchair.
Soon after his appearance he left the hospital in the front seat of a white Fiat as he was driven through Rome back to the Vatican.
Photos of the Pope inside the car showed that he was being supported with oxygen.
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Vatican News interviewed the woman holding the yellow flowers - who was left visibly emotional but the Pope's touching comment.
Carmela Mancuso, a 72-year-old from Calabria, went almost every day to the hospital to bring flowers to the Pope.
Watch moment Pope Francis speaks from hospital to thousands in St Peter's Square as Pontiff, 88, still in health battle
She said: “I don't know what to say, thank you to the Holy Father. I didn't think I would be seen like this by the Pope.
"He was just supposed to give the blessing.
"And instead to wake up and see my bunch of roses... [ I wish] for him to get well soon and return as before, among us."
The Pontiff, 88, now has to relearn how to speak again following his serious health battle which left him "in danger of losing his life", according to his doctors.
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The Pope has been in hospital since February 14, during which time he has suffered numerous health problems including kidney failure and numerous respiratory crises.
He battled pneumonia in both lungs, was placed on a ventilator to breathe for him, and received oxygen through a nasal cannula while he was bedridden.
But, he has made a steady recovery and is set to return to the Vatican later today.
On March 6, the public heard from Francis for the first time when an audio clip was released and played to worshippers in St Peters Square.
But, he was seen for the first time since his hospitalisation last Sunday as he attended Holy Mass in the hospital chapel.
Francis sounded , and was difficult to understand.
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He is to return to the Vatican to begin at least two months of rest, rehabilitation and convalescence.
Doctors have said he should refrain from meeting in big groups or exerting himself.
King Charles still plans to meet the Pope next month during a State visit to Vatican City and Italy - despite the hospital stay.
It is understood the King, 76, wrote to the Pope when he was taken ill last month.
Charles and Camilla will embark on State Visits to the Vatican City and Italy next month between Monday April 7 and Thursday April 10.
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The trip coincides with the royal couple's 20th wedding anniversary.
A palace source says they have "shared our hopes and prayers that Pope Francis's health will enable the visit to go ahead".
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