Pope Francis has made his first public appearance since he was hospitalised over five weeks ago.
The head of the Catholic Church greeted his supporters from a window, waving to crowds in Italy and offering a blessing to those gathered below.
It is currently not known what the pontiff told the eager crowds since the mic handed to him was not working - although crowds could make out him thanking one woman who had brought flowers.
He could also been seen waving and making the sign of the cross before he was helped back into the hospital room.
The area around the entrance of the hospital in Rome was busy with people earlier this morning, while more people congregated in St Peter's Square at the Vatican where they can see the Pope speak on giant TV screens.
Later, a Fiat carrying Pope Francis departed the hospital just after midday local time and was followed by a convoy of police vehicles through the centre of Rome.
The Vatican has confirmed that the Pope has remained in a stable condition for the past two weeks.
Officials at Gemelli Hospital, where the 88-year-old was being treated, reported that he was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
As a result, it is expected that the pontiff will leave the facility and make his return to the Vatican after he addressed crowds outside the hospital.
His hospital discharge would mark just over five weeks since he was hospitalised on February 14.
The Vatican has announced that the 88-year-old pontiff will return to his residency, as doctors have recommended "at least two months" of recovery time.
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The head of the Catholic Church greeted his supporters from a window, waving to crowds in Italy and offering a blessing to those gathered below.
It is currently not known what the pontiff told the eager crowds since the mic handed to him was not working - although crowds could make out him thanking one woman who had brought flowers.
He could also been seen waving and making the sign of the cross before he was helped back into the hospital room.
The area around the entrance of the hospital in Rome was busy with people earlier this morning, while more people congregated in St Peter's Square at the Vatican where they can see the Pope speak on giant TV screens.
Later, a Fiat carrying Pope Francis departed the hospital just after midday local time and was followed by a convoy of police vehicles through the centre of Rome.
The Vatican has confirmed that the Pope has remained in a stable condition for the past two weeks.
Officials at Gemelli Hospital, where the 88-year-old was being treated, reported that he was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia.
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As a result, it is expected that the pontiff will leave the facility and make his return to the Vatican after he addressed crowds outside the hospital.
His hospital discharge would mark just over five weeks since he was hospitalised on February 14.
The Vatican has announced that the 88-year-old pontiff will return to his residency, as doctors have recommended "at least two months" of recovery time.
Find Out More...