Pope Francis made his first public appearance on Sunday after spending more than five weeks in the hospital, where he survived a severe case of pneumonia that doctors said twice threatened the Roman Catholic Church leader’s life.

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

In it, Pope Francis said he was “saddened by the heavy Israeli bombing in Gaza.”

A large crowd gathered at the main entry piazza of Gemelli Hospital, including patients wheeled outside to see him in person. The pope waved from the balcony and smiled, briefly speaking through a microphone, though doctors have said his voice has been weakened by his illness. The Holy Father made the sign of the cross to the crowd. Francis was subsequently discharged from the hospital and will return to the Vatican to begin at least two months of rest, rehabilitation, and convalescence.

A large crowd gathered at the main entry piazza of Gemelli Hospital, including patients wheeled outside to see him in person. The pope waved from the balcony and smiled, briefly speaking through a microphone, though doctors have said his voice has been weakened by his illness. The Holy Father made the sign of the cross to the crowd. Francis was subsequently discharged from the hospital and will return to the Vatican to begin at least two months of rest, rehabilitation, and convalescence.

Pope Francis’ discharge comes after 38 days of medical ups and downs that raised the prospect of a papal resignation or funeral.

Doctors, who announced his planned release at a Saturday evening news conference, it was Francis’ longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy and the second-longest in recent papal history.

Source: https://www.foxnews.com/world/pope-francis-condemns-israeli-attacks-appears-1st-time-since-weeks-long-hospitalization