Pope Francis greets crowds in Rome before discharge from hospital

Pontiff says he has had the opportunity to experience the Lord's patience' and pays tribute to tireless care' of medics

Pope Francis greeted a large crowd of pilgrims gathered outside Gemelli hospital in Rome in his first public appearance in more than five weeks, before being discharged from the hospital on Sunday.

The pontiff, who is recovering from pneumonia in both lungs, made the brief greeting and blessing from the balcony of his hospital room shortly after the release of the text for his Sunday Angelus.