Pope Francis makes public appearance before leaving hospital

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Pope Francis waving to a crowd from a balcony before his release, his first public outburst since being hospitalized five weeks ago.

The 88-year-old has a severe respiratory infection that required evolving treatment and was admitted to Gemelli University Hospital in Rome, the capital of Italy, on February 14.

The Roman Catholic Church’s head of state was set to leave hospital on Sunday and require two months of rest at the Vatican, according to one of the doctors who treated him on Saturday.