Pope Francis made his first public appearance at the Vatican since he was discharged from the hospital on March 23 after a bout with pneumonia. On April 6, the pope surprised onlookers when he made his way through St.

The 88-year-old Pope Francis lifted his hands to wave to the crowd, who stood and applauded, as he was rolled to the front of the altar in St. Peter's Square.

After being hospitalized for life-threatening double pneumonia, the 88-year-old pontiff thanked the faithful in St. Peter's Square.