Pope Francis greeted some 3,000 faithful gathered in the square in front of the entrance to Rome’s Gemelli hospital, saying, “Thank you to everyone!”

He said just a few words from a small balcony just above the crowds gathered below. With effort, his hands resting on his knees, he then lifted them to bless the crowds, followed by waving and smiling to those below who were shouting, “Francesco, Francesco!” “We love you!” “We’re here for you!”

“Thank you to everyone!” the pope said with a faint voice. A greeting had been planned, but the pope wished to greet them more with his presence than with his voice, still affected by the respiratory therapies he has been undergoing. His gaze moved from one side of the square to the other, when he noticed an Italian lady holding a bouquet of yellow flowers to celebrate the occasion. The pope remarked that he could see her with the yellow flowers, and he waved to her in gratitude.

Soon after leaving the balcony following his brief greeting, the crowd moved toward the entrance of the hospital to catch a glimpse of the pope as he departed in his usual white Fiat 500L. More greetings and cheers accompanied his departure.

He then headed to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where he met with Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, coadjutor archpriest of the papal basilica. He gave him flowers to be placed before the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani as a sign of his gratitude for her care and protection.

Before appearing on the hospital balcony, Pope Francis briefly greeted the staff and leaders of the Catholic University and the Policlinico Gemelli.