Pope Francis autographs the plaster solid of a kid as he leaves the Agostino Gemelli College Hospital in Rome on Saturday.

Gregorio Borgia/AP

disguise caption

toggle caption

Gregorio Borgia/AP

Pope Francis autographs the plaster solid of a kid as he leaves the Agostino Gemelli College Hospital in Rome on Saturday.

Gregorio Borgia/AP

ROME — Pope Francis was discharged on Saturday from the Rome hospital the place he was handled for bronchitis, quipping to journalists earlier than being pushed away: “I am nonetheless alive.”

Francis, 86, was hospitalized on Wednesday at Gemelli Polyclinic after reportedly having respiratory difficulties following his weekly public viewers. The pontiff was handled with antibiotics administered intravenously, the Vatican mentioned.

Earlier than departing, Francis had an emotional second with a Rome couple whose 5-year-old daughter died Friday night time on the hospital. Serena Subania, mom of Angelica, sobbed as she pressed her head into the chest of the pope, who put a hand on the girl’s head.

Francis appeared wanting to linger with well-wishers. When a boy confirmed him his arm solid, the pope made a gesture as if to ask “Do you will have a pen?” A papal aide handed Francis one, and the pope autographed the solid.

The pontiff answered in a voice that was near a whisper when reporters peppered him with questions, indicating he did really feel chest ache, a symptom that satisfied his medical workers to take him to the hospital Wednesday.

Francis sat within the entrance seat of the white Fiat 500 automotive that drove him away from Gemelli Polyclinic. However as a substitute of heading straight house, his motorcade sped proper previous Vatican Metropolis, in keeping with an Related Press photographer positioned exterior the walled city-state.

The pope was apparently headed to a Rome basilica that could be a favourite of his. After he was discharged from the identical hospital in July 2021 following intestinal surgical procedure, Francis stopped to supply prayers of thanksgiving at St. Mary Main Basilica in Rome, which is house to an icon depicting the Virgin Mary.

On Friday, Vatican officers mentioned Francis could be at St. Peter’s Sq. for Palm Sunday Mass to mark the beginning of Holy Week, which culminates on Easter, April 9.