Pope Francis appears on his balcony to speak to the crowds at the Gemelli hospital in Rome - in pictures

  • Pope Francis appears on a balcony of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, where he has been treated for bronchitis and bilateral pneumonia since February 14. AP Photo
    Pope Francis appears on a balcony of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, where he has been treated for bronchitis and bilateral pneumonia since February 14. AP Photo
  • Pope Francis waves to followers outside the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome before being discharged following a five-week stay for pneumonia. AFP
    Pope Francis waves to followers outside the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome before being discharged following a five-week stay for pneumonia. AFP
  • The faithful wait for Pope Francis' first public appearance in five weeks on March 23. The pontiff was sent home from Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome to continue his recovery under the supervision of physicians. Reuters
    The faithful wait for Pope Francis' first public appearance in five weeks on March 23. The pontiff was sent home from Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome to continue his recovery under the supervision of physicians. Reuters
  • Pope Francis makes his first public appearance in five weeks from a balcony of Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome overlooking a marble statute of his predecessor John Paul II. Reuters
    Pope Francis makes his first public appearance in five weeks from a balcony of Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome overlooking a marble statute of his predecessor John Paul II. Reuters
  • Cheers for Pope Francis makes his first public appearance in five weeks after treatment for pneumonia in both lungs. Reuters
    Cheers for Pope Francis makes his first public appearance in five weeks after treatment for pneumonia in both lungs. Reuters
  • Pope Francis delivers his blessing, after the Angelus prayer, from a balcony of the Gemelli Hospital before his return home to continue his convalescence. EPA
    Pope Francis delivers his blessing, after the Angelus prayer, from a balcony of the Gemelli Hospital before his return home to continue his convalescence. EPA
  • Nuns await the appearance of Pope Francis after his five-week stay in hospital in Rome with pneumonia in both lungs. Reuters
    Nuns await the appearance of Pope Francis after his five-week stay in hospital in Rome with pneumonia in both lungs. Reuters
  • Reflections on the window of the car as Pope Francis leaves by Gemelli hospital after a five week hospital stay for pneumonia. He is to spend 'at least two months' recovering, one of his doctors announced said. AFP
    Reflections on the window of the car as Pope Francis leaves by Gemelli hospital after a five week hospital stay for pneumonia. He is to spend 'at least two months' recovering, one of his doctors announced said. AFP