Pope Francis will appear for the first time since being admitted from the balcony of Gemeri Hospital in Rome, and will then depart from the facility on February 14th. He greeted the attendees, gave him his blessings and gave “thumbs” to nearly 3,000 people gathered in the square, celebrating his appearance and release from the hospital.
Vatican News
Pope Francis greeted the approximately 3,000 faithful people gathered in the square in front of the entrance to Gemeri Hospital in Rome, and said, “Thank you to everyone!”
He said only a few words from the small balcony just above the crowd gathered below. Effort and tired, his hands are placed on his lap, and he lifts them up to bless the crowd, followed by “Francesco, Francesco!”, “We love you!”, “We are here for you!”
“Thank you everyone!” the Pope said in a faint voice. The greeting was planned, but the Pope wanted to see it, not only hear it. His gaze moved from one side of the square to the other. He noticed that Carmela Mancuso, a woman from Calabria, had a bouquet of yellow flowers in the front row. She came from St. Peter’s station and went to Gemeri Hospital to see the Pope. The Pope said he could see her with the yellow flowers and he waved at her.
Shortly after leaving the balcony after his brief greeting, the crowd moved towards the entrance to Jemeri Hospital, where he could get a glimpse of the Pope as he left in his usual white Fiat 500L. His departure was accompanied by more greetings and cheers. He headed to Major St. Mary’s Cathedral, where he met Cardinal Laurandus Macrickus, co-hosted by the Pope Cathedral, and gave the flowers to be placed in front of the symbol of Mary Sarus Poppli Romani as a sign of gratitude for her care and protection.
Before appearing on the hospital balcony, Pope Francis briefly greeted Catholic University staff and leaders and policy gemelli.
