Pope Francis made his first public appearance on Sunday after a five-week hospital stay. He was treated for a severe case of pneumonia that doctors said twice threatened his life.

The 88-year-old Pope delivered a Sunday blessing from Rome’s Gemelli hospital. The Vatican’s broadcaster also read a statement from the Pope, issued by the Holy See Press Office, in English.

Pope Francis expressed his sadness over “the resumption of on the Gaza Strip, causing many deaths and injuries.”

He urged “an immediate halt to the weapons and for the courage to resume dialogue so that all hostages may be released, and a final ceasefire reached.” He added, “In the Gaza Strip, the humanitarian situation is again very serious and requires urgent commitment from the conflicting parties and the international community.”

The Pope welcomed the agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan on the final text of a peace deal, hoping it will be signed soon and contribute to lasting peace in the South Caucasus.

Francis thanked those praying for him and asked for continued prayers “for an end to wars and for peace, especially Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.” He concluded, “May the Virgin Mary keep you and continue to accompany us on our journey towards Easter.”

A large crowd gathered at the entrance of Gemelli Hospital, including patients brought outside to see him. The Pope, in a wheelchair, waved and smiled from the balcony.

He briefly spoke into a microphone, acknowledging a woman holding yellow flowers. Doctors noted his voice was weakened by his illness.

The Pope gave a thumbs up and blessed the crowd. He was then discharged from the hospital to return to the Vatican for a period of rest, rehabilitation, and convalescence lasting at least two months.

His release follows 38 days of fluctuating health, raising concerns about potential resignation or even death.

Francis began his message by referencing the day’s Gospel parable, which “tells us about the patience of God, who urges us to make our life a time of conversion.”

“Jesus uses the image of a barren fruit tree which has not born the anticipated fruit and which nevertheless the farmer does not want to cut down. He wants to fertilize it again in that it may bear fruit in the future, and this patient farmer is the Lord who works the soil of our lives with care and waits confidently for our return to Him,” the Pope wrote. “In this long period of my hospitalization, I’ve had the opportunity to experience the Lord’s patience, which I also see reflected in the tireless care of the doctors and healthcare workers, as well as in the care and hopes of the relatives of the sick. This trusted patience anchored in God’s unfailing love is indeed necessary in our lives, especially when facing the most difficult and painful situations.”

Doctors announced his release on Saturday, advising him to avoid large gatherings and overexertion, but expecting him to eventually resume normal activities. This was Francis’ longest hospitalization in his 12-year papacy and the second-longest in recent papal history.

on the third Sunday of Lent, pilgrims continued to flock to St. Peter’s Basilica to participate in the 2025 Holy Year. They filled St. Peter’s Square and passed through the Holy Door, while Francis’ hospital greeting was broadcast on large screens.

No special arrangements were made at the Domus Santa Marta, the Vatican hotel where Francis lives, according to the AP. He will have access to supplemental oxygen and 24-hour medical care, but his physician hopes he will gradually need less breathing assistance as his lungs recover.

While the has been successfully treated, Francis will continue oral medication for a fungal lung infection and continue respiratory and physical therapy.

“For three or four days he’s been asking when he can go home, so he’s very happy,” Carbone said.

Dr. Sergio Alfieri, who led Francis’ medical team, emphasized that survival and release from the hospital are not guaranteed for patients with such severe pneumonia. He said Francis’ life was in danger twice, and the Pope temporarily lost his sense of humor.

“But one morning we went to listen to his lungs and we asked him how he was doing. When he replied, ‘I’m still alive,’ we knew he was OK and had gotten his good humor back,” he said.

Alfieri confirmed that Francis was never intubated or lost consciousness.

Alfieri acknowledged that Francis still had speaking difficulties due to lung and respiratory muscle damage, but predicted his voice would eventually recover.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni declined to confirm upcoming events, including a meeting with King Charles III or Easter services participation. However, Carbone hoped Francis could travel to Turkey in late May for an ecumenical anniversary.

Francis returns to the Vatican during the Holy Year, expected to draw over 30 million pilgrims to Rome. He has already missed Jubilee audiences and will likely miss more, but officials say his absence hasn’t significantly affected pilgrim numbers.

Only St. John Paul II had a longer hospitalization, spending 55 days at Gemelli in 1981.

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