Pope Francis greeted some 3,000 faithful gathered in the square in front of the entrance to Rome's Gemelli hospital, saying “thank you to everyone!”

He said just a few words from a small balcony just above the crowds gathered below. With effort and looking tired, his hands resting on his knees, he then lifted them to bless the crowds, followed by waving and smiling to those below who were shouting, "Francesco, Francesco!", "We love you!", "We're here for you!"

“Thank you to everyone!” the Pope said with a faint voice. A greeting had been planned, but the Pope wanted to be seen, not just heard. His gaze moved from one side of the square to the other. He noticed a lady, Carmela Mancuso, from Calabria, in the front row, holding a bouquet of yellow flowers. She had come from St. Peter's Station to go to Gemelli Hospital to see the Pope. The Pope said he could see her with the yellow flowers and he waved to her.

Soon after leaving the balcony following his brief greeting, the crowd moved towards the Gemelli Hospital entrance to catch a glimpse of the Pope as he left in his usual white Fiat 500L. More greetings and cheers accompanied his departure. He headed to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major where he met with Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Coadjutor Archpriest of the Papal Basilica, giving him flowers to be placed before the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani as a sign of his gratitude for her care and protection.

Pope Francis calls for an end to 'heavy bombing in Gaza'

Pope Francis appeared at the window of Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Sunday, his first public appearance after five weeks of hospitalization. He greeted and blessed the over 3000 well-wishers present in the hospital courtyard, many of them carrying bright flowers and "welcome home" posters, while his Sunday reflection was read by TV/radio commentators and distributed to journalists. In it, he appeals for the silencing of weapons.

In his prepared greeting, the Pope reflected on the day’s Gospel and used it to highlight the immense suffering of the people in Gaza, as well as all those who, across the world, suffer the consequences of war.

Throughout his hospitalization, the Pope has never tired of making his voice for peace heard in prepared texts published prior to the Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Square.

This Sunday, just before his programmed return to Casa Santa Marta to begin two months of convalescence, Pope Francis prayed for the people of Palestine, writing, “I am saddened by the resumption of heavy Israeli bombing on the Gaza Strip, causing many deaths and injuries. I call for an immediate halt to the weapons; and for the courage to resume dialogue, so that all hostages may be released and a final ceasefire reached”.

“I call for an immediate halt to the weapons; and for the courage to resume dialogue, so that all hostages may be released and a final ceasefire reached”

He continued by highlighting the “very serious” humanitarian situation in the Strip, warning that urgent commitment is required from the conflicting parties and the international community.

At the same time, Pope Francis expressed his gratitude for steps taken toward peace in the South Caucasus, where Armenia and Azerbaijan are moving towards a finalized peace agreement.

“May this be a sign of hope,” he prayed, “that other conflicts, too, may find a path to resolution through dialogue and goodwill.”

The Gospel of the day points to the image of the barren fig tree, spared from being cut down in the hope that it may still bear fruit. This, the Pope said, is how God looks upon humanity: with mercy, with perseverance, and with a love that never tires. In light of all the suffering, but of all the hope, “It is the same patience we are called to cultivate in our daily lives, especially in times of hardship and uncertainty”, said the Pope.

Before concluding, the Holy Father once again placed his trust in the intercession of the Virgin Mary, asking her to accompany the Church and the world on the path of peace. He invited the faithful to join him in praying for peace, “especially in tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo

“Pray for peace in tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo”

As he prepares for his period of convalescence, Pope Francis did not forget those who have held him through their prayers. “I feel your closeness,” he said warmly, thanking the faithful for their support and assuring them of his own prayers in return.