Pope Francis was discharged from hospital Sunday after more than five weeks being treated for pneumonia, waving to cheering crowds and thanking everyone for their support.

Looking tired and worn, the pontiff sat in a wheelchair on one of the hospital balconies to say goodbye, waving softly to hundreds of people who had gathered below to wish the head of the Catholic Church a full recovery.

Pilgrims chanted his name at the first public sighting of Francis since February 14, when he was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital with breathing difficulties and a respiratory illness which developed into pneumonia.

"Thank you, everyone," a weak-sounding Francis said into a microphone, as he waved his hands from his lap, occasionally lifting one to wave in the air and doing an occasional thumbs-up sign.

"I can see that woman with yellow flowers, well done," he said with a small smile, to laughter from the crowd.

Francis was on the balcony for two minutes before being discharged from the hospital immediately afterwards.

He left by car, waving from the closed window of the front........

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