A FRAIL Pope Francis has waved from a window to ecstatic followers as he was seen for the first time in public since he was hospitalised a month ago.

The Holy Father appeared briefly behind a glass balcony on the fifth floor at Gemelli University Hospital in Rome where he greeted and blessed a waiting crowd.

He looked sickly as he sat in a wheelchair but he made the appearance without the assistance of oxygen.

Francis blessed the crowd, thanked them for coming to speak to him, and pointed out a woman who had brought yellow flowers to wish him well.

Speaking briefly and weakly, he said: “Thank you, everyone.”

The head of the Catholic Church had been staying on the 10th floor in the papal suite, but appeared on the fifth which was reportedly more suitable for a wheelchair.

Soon after his appearance he left the hospital in the front seat of a white Fiat as he returns to the Vatican.

The Pontiff, 88, now has to relearn how to speak again following his serious health battle which left him “in danger of losing his life”, according to his doctors.

The Pope has been in hospital since February 14, during which time he has suffered numerous health problems including kidney failure and numerous respiratory crises.

He battled pneumonia in both lungs, was placed on a ventilator to breathe for him, and received oxygen through a nasal cannula while he was bedridden.

But, he has made a steady recovery and is set to return to the Vatican later today.

On March 6, the public heard from Francis for the first time when an audio clip was released and played to worshippers in St Peters Square.

But, he was seen for the first time since his hospitalisation last Sunday as he attended Holy Mass in the hospital chapel.

Francis sounded breathless, with a frail and broken voice, and was difficult to understand.

He is to return to the Vatican to begin at least two months of rest, rehabilitation and convalescence.

Doctors have said he should refrain from meeting in big groups or exerting himself.

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