Audio By Carbonatix
Pope Francis has joked that he is "still alive" as he left the hospital in Rome after a three-day stay.
He was admitted to Gemelli Hospital on Wednesday with breathing difficulties and later diagnosed with bronchitis.
The Vatican had earlier said the pontiff would be released on Saturday if his latest test results allowed it.
"I wasn't frightened, I'm still alive," the Pope, 86, told reporters outside the hospital before being driven away.
He was seen smiling and waving from the car, before getting out to speak to a crowd. He then headed for the Vatican.
The Pope's admission to the hospital came ahead of the busiest week in the Christian calendar to celebrate Easter.
Holy Week, as it is known, includes a busy schedule of events and services that can be physically demanding.
The Argentine pontiff, who marked 10 years as head of the Catholic Church earlier this month, has suffered a number of health issues throughout his life, including having part of one of his lungs removed at age 21.
Latest Stories
-
Gunmen abduct seven students in northwest Nigeria, police say
1 hour -
Libyans block off UN refugee office in protest against migrants
1 hour -
China cracks down on violence and misogyny in viral micro dramas
1 hour -
Starmer accuses Musk of trying to whip up division over Henry Nowak murder
2 hours -
African migrants flee into the mountains as South Africa’s xenophobic violence surges
2 hours -
Nigeria’s Dangote refinery tops 700,000 barrels a day in test
2 hours -
Mali offers millions for information on attackers
2 hours -
Congo reports attack on Ebola burial team as cases rise
2 hours -
Oil little changed on uncertainty over US-Iran peace deal
2 hours -
Steven Spielberg believes we will discover aliens in our lifetime
4 hours -
Marilyn Monroe auction features star’s make-up and gowns on 100th birthday
4 hours -
Andrew was sub-letting Royal Lodge cottages, watchdog reveals
5 hours -
‘World-first’ vaccine designed by artificial intelligence
5 hours -
Zelensky proposes face-to-face talks in open letter to Putin
5 hours -
Ex-wife of Dubai ruler’s nephew in custody, prosecutors say
5 hours