Pope Francis appears for first time in more than five weeks ahead of his release from hospital

CNN
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Pope Francis made his first public appearance in more than five weeks on Sunday, waving to people and giving a thumbs up from a balcony of the hospital where he has been battling double pneumonia ahead of his discharge.

The pope addressed the crowd outside the hotel, thanking them and acknowledging one woman in the crowd who was holding flowers. He also gave a blessing.

Francis, 88, was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14 initially suffering from a severe respiratory infection. He was subsequently diagnosed with a polymicrobial infection, which evolved to pneumonia in both lungs.

His medical team said Saturday that his…