Pope Francis returns to Vatican after five weeks in hospital

Pope Francis waves during his first public appearance in five weeks, on the day he is set to be discharged from Gemelli Hospital, in Rome, Italy, March 23, 2025.

Photo credit: REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane

What you need to know:

  • Though the pope has returned from hospital, his doctors have said it would still take "a lot of time" for his ageing body to heal fully.