Pope health update: Francis makes morbid joke after hospital stay
Pope Francis waves from a car as he leaves Rome's Gemelli hospital in Rome
Reut
Pope Francis has been discharged from a hospital in Rome following treatment for a respiratory infection as he made a gruesome joke while leaving.
Following his three-day stay at Rome's Gemelli hospital, the Pope joked that he is "still alive" after being diagnosed with bronchitis.
The 86-year-old was admitted to hospital on Wednesday where he received antibiotics after suffering breathing difficulties.
The Vatican has said the pope will be St. Peter’s Square for Palm Sunday Mass to mark the start of Holy Week, which finishes on Easter, April 9.
Pope Francis joked that he is "still alive" after being discharged from hospital
Reuters
Speaking to reporters as he departed the hospital he said: "I wasn't frightened, I'm still alive," before being driven away.
He was seen smiling and waving from the car, before getting out to speak to a crowd of people and then traveled to the Vatican.
During his stay, pictures emerged of the Pope around the hospital as he baptised a baby and visited the paediatrics ward.
In a video of the baptism released by the Vatican, the mother tells Francis the boy's name is Miguel Angel before he uses a metal hospital tray usually used to hold syringes to pour water over the baby's head.
Pope Francis has been discharged from a hospital in Rome following treatment for a respiratory infection
Reuters
Francis was also spotted visiting a children's cancer ward and gave out large, wrapped chocolate Easter eggs.
The Pope's admission to hospital came ahead of the busiest week in the Christian calendar to celebrate Easter.
Holy Week includes a busy schedule of events and services which can be physically demanding.
The Argentine pontiff, who marked 10 years as head of the Catholic Church earlier this month, has suffered several health issues throughout his life, including having part of one of his lungs removed at age 21.
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