Pope Francis told journalists he was
"still alive" as he left a Rome hospital Saturday after two
days' treatment for a bronchial infection.
Asked how he felt, the 86-year-old pontiff replied: "Still
alive, you know".
Francis, who often uses a wheelchair because of a bad knee, was
standing up but leaning on a stick.
Talking about the illness that brought him to Gemelli Hospital,
the pope said "I just felt a malaise, but I wasn't afraid" when
he felt ill and needed assistance after Wednesday's general
audience in St Peter's Square.
A journalist observed that the pope had not stopped doing his
duties while in hospital, praying, and visiting a children's
cancer ward where he baptised a boy, Miguel Angel.
"It's the most beautiful ting, to be a priest," replied the
Argentine pontiff.
Speaking to another journalist he knows, Francis said "did you
see all the mess (they created)", referring to the media hype
surrounding his hospital stay, which revived speculation he
might resign like his predecessor Benedict XVI if he gets too
ill to do his job, as he has promised.
The Holy See said in a statement that the pope had said goodbye
to all the staff and chiefs of department, as well as the rector
of the Catholic University attached to the Gemelli, Franco
Anelli, and the Gemelli's director general, Marco Elefanti,
thanking all the medical staff for the care they had taken of
him.
Finally, Francis confirmed he would say Palm Sunday Mass at St
Peter's Sunday, saying "tomorrow I will celebrate Palm Sunday".
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