Overview

• Pope Francis made his first public appearance in over five weeks on March 23, addressing faithful from the balcony of Gemelli Hospital in Rome.
• The pontiff, who faced two critical health episodes during his 37-day hospitalization, has pneumonia under control but requires further recovery time.
• He has returned to the Vatican's Saint Martha residence to begin a convalescence period of at least two months, with medical care provided on-site.
• Doctors emphasized the need for respiratory therapy and rehabilitation to restore his voice and full lung function, following damage caused by the illness.
• The pope expressed gratitude to medical staff and faithful, while calling for peace in global conflicts, including in Gaza and the Caucasus.