Pope Francis’ discharge from the hospital, where he was twice in danger during a five-week stay, marked an extraordinary day beyond expectations.

Early this morning, senior officials informed Sky News that the Pope declined a helicopter ride back to the Vatican, opting instead for his white Fiat Papal car amidst the people.

Over 3,000 people gathered outside the Gemelli hospital, which was heavily protected by police officers.

At midday in Rome, the Pope appeared on a balcony, prompting the faithful to clap and chant his name while trying to get a closer view.

The Pope’s voice, still weak after his treatment, was expected to be hositle; instead, he addressed an elderly woman with yellow flowers in the crowd, saying, “I see a woman with yellow flowers, brava,” before retreating inside.

The woman is Carmela Mancuso, from Calabria in southern Italy, who has daily visited the hospital since the Pope’s arrival on 14 February, each time bringing flowers, recently yellow ones “symbolising the light and recalling life”.

Behind closed doors, the Pope conceived an idea, asking his security to collect the woman’s flowers, then immediately leaving the hospital amidst crowds of people.

Rather than returning to the Vatican as planned, the Pope directed his aides to take him to the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to pray.

The Pope took the yellow flowers with him, causing an unexpected reroute of the papal convoy through Rome’s busy centre before he placed them on the Virgin Salus Populi Romani altar at the basilica.

The papal convoy’s extraordinary diversion, along with his choice to pray and place the flowers at the altar of the Virgin Salus Populi Romani, highlighted an impromptu trip that defied initial plans.

After leaving his flowers at the altar, the Pope continued to his Vatican home but made an additional, unplanned stop along the way.

Further displaying his spontaneous nature, the Pope briefly interacted with a local resident upon arriving back at the Vatican, as Sky News managed to capture.

Stefania Livey, who was with her dog Camilla, said, “I just told him welcome back home. He seemed very tired. I’ll keep praying for him,” acknowledging the global concern for the Pope’s health and his commitment to engaging with the public despite his condition.

The Pope’s health has sparked global attention, given the speculation over how he will navigate his role following medical advice during his recovery, which is expected to last two months.