Pope Francis was discharged from the Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Sunday after receiving treatment for pneumonia over a span of five weeks. 

Appearing publicly for the first time in over five weeks, the 88-year-old pope waved from a hospital balcony earlier today, according to Reuters. 

Since February 14, the Pope had been undergoing treatment at the Gemelli Hospital due to inflammation in both lungs. However, the Vatican recently announced an improvement in his condition after initial concerns that his life might be at risk.

Following a series of breathing difficulties experienced earlier during his hospital stay, his condition improved over the past week, with the Vatican reporting that he had short moments of unaided breathing. Until last week, Pope Francis had been using an oxygen mask, but on Tuesday, the Vatican stated that he was able to do without it for the first time.

The Pope has a history of respiratory illnesses, having undergone surgery to remove part of one of his lungs when he was young.