Doctors say Pope Francis requires two months of rest as he leaves hospital after five weeks
During his 38 days in hospital, the pope experienced four acute episodes of what the Vatican termed "respiratory crises", which involved severe coughing fits caused by constrictions in his airways, similar to asthma attacks.
Pope Francis returned to the Vatican on Sunday after enduring a five-week battle in hospital against double pneumonia, marking the most serious health crisis of his 12-year papacy.
The 88-year-old pontiff, who also made his first public appearance since February 14 prior to his discharge from Rome's Gemelli hospital, departed the facility shortly after noon.
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A car transporting the pope was accompanied by police vehicles through Rome, making a brief detour to deliver flowers to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, a church to which Francis holds a special devotion and visits frequently.
Although the pope has returned from hospital, his doctors have stated that it will still take "a lot of time" for his ageing body to heal fully.
They have prescribed an additional two months of rest at the Vatican and advised him to avoid large or stressful meetings, leaving it unclear how much activity Francis will undertake in the months ahead.
Just before leaving the hospital on Sunday, Francis smiled and waved at a group of well-wishers gathered outside. He used a wheelchair, as he has done for several years.
His face appeared swollen, and bandages were visible on both arms beneath his white cassock during the brief appearance, which lasted only a few moments.
He spoke briefly, in a weak voice, to thank 79-year-old Carmela Vittoria Mancuso in the crowd below. Mancuso, who visited the hospital each day during the pope's treatment, had brought yellow flowers for him. She told Reuters afterwards that her heart "was bursting" when the pope acknowledged her.
Francis had been seen by the public only once before during his hospital stay, in a photo released by the Vatican last week, showing the pontiff at prayer in a hospital chapel.
The pope, who has been receiving oxygen to assist his breathing throughout his hospital stay, was breathing on his own during the public appearance. However, he was seen using a small hose under his nose for oxygen while travelling in his car.
Crowds of well-wishers
In the moments leading up to the pontiff's appearance on Sunday, the crowd of hundreds of well-wishers called out for him, chanting "Francis, Francis, Francis".
Francis, who has been pope since 2013, was first admitted to hospital for a bout of bronchitis that developed into double pneumonia, caused by what his doctors referred to as a "complex" infection involving several microorganisms.
During his 38 days in hospital, the pope experienced four acute episodes of what the Vatican termed "respiratory crises", which involved severe coughing fits caused by constrictions in his airways, similar to asthma attacks.
Two of the crises were critical, placing Francis "in danger of his life", Sergio Alfieri, the head of the pope's medical team, stated at a press conference on Saturday.
While Francis no longer has pneumonia, he has yet to be completely healed, the doctor noted. Alfieri pointed out that it will also take time for him to regain full use of his voice after battling a respiratory infection for such an extended period.
On Sunday, the Vatican released a brief statement it claimed was prepared by Francis, in which he expressed gratitude to his doctors for their "tireless care".
Pilgrims express relief
Many Catholics around the world had been praying for the pope's recovery, and pilgrims at the Vatican on Sunday expressed relief at his discharge from hospital.
"This discharge brings us all joy and hope," remarked Grazia Mara, an Italian. "We wish him a safe return home and a swift recovery."
The pope had continued to lead the Church from his hospital room.
He was making usual appointments of Catholic bishops worldwide and also initiated a new three-year reform process for the global institution.
However, the prescribed two months of rest for Francis could lead to significant changes in the Vatican's upcoming calendar of events.
The pope was scheduled to meet with Britain's King Charles on April 8 and to lead the Vatican's annual Easter celebrations on April 20.
The Vatican has not disclosed whether Francis will be able to maintain those appointments.
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