Pope Francis was released Saturday from the hospital where he was treated for bronchitis, exclaiming to reporters: “I’m still alive.”
Francisco, 86, was hospitalized on Wednesday at the Gemelli Polyclinic after he reportedly had respiratory difficulties following his weekly public hearing.
The Vatican reported that the pontiff was treated with intravenous antibiotics, and that before leaving, Francis hugged a couple whose daughter died Friday night in hospital.
On the eve of his discharge, Vatican officials said Francis would be in St. Peter’s Square for the Palm Sunday mass to mark the beginning of the Easterwhich culminates in the EasterApril 9th.