Pope Francis waved to hundreds of people gathered outside Rome's Gemelli hospital on Sunday as the pontiff left the hospital after surviving a life-threatening bout of pneumonia. In his first public appearance in five weeks, he 88-year-old pope said "Thank you, everyone," as he gave a thumbs up and acknowledged the crowd after he was wheeled out onto a hospital balcony overlooking the main entry of the building. Chants of "Viva il papa!" and "Papa Francesco" erupted from the crowd. Security guards told the Associated Press that Francis was heading to St. Mary Major basilica, where his favorite icon of the Madonna is located and where he always goes to pray after a foreign visit. Once at the Vatican, Francis will begin two months of rest and convalescence as he continues his rehabilitation at home. #pope #francis #rome #news #world