Pope Francis leaves hospital after being treated for respiratory infection

(CNN) — Pope Francis left the hospital in Rome this Saturday where he spent the last few days to receive treatment for a respiratory infection.

After being discharged from Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Saturday morning, he stopped to speak to reporters.

The Pontiff was in good spirits when he responded to questions from CNN’s Delia Gallagher about how he was feeling, saying: “I’m still alive, you know?”

Asked if he was scared this Wednesday because of his respiratory problems, the Pope recalled what an “old man” told him after going through a similar situation.

“An old man, older than me, told me after a situation like this: ‘Father, I did not see death, but I saw it coming. It’s ugly, huh!’”

Pope Francis, 86, was transferred to Gemelli hospital on Wednesday and received antibiotics to treat infectious bronchitis.

The pontiff, who suffered severe pneumonia as a young man and had part of a lung removed, had a Recent history of medical problems.

He has often been seen with a cane and sometimes uses a wheelchair due to pain in his right knee. Last year, he canceled a trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan after doctors said he, too, could miss a subsequent trip to Canada unless he agreed to 20 more days of therapy and knee rest. . Finally, he traveled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan in February.

Francisco also suffers from diverticulitis, a common condition that can cause inflammation or infection of the colon. In 2021, he underwent surgery to remove part of his colon.

The pope is expected to take part in a Palm Sunday mass service in St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican says.