Pope Francis on Sunday returned to the Vatican after 38 days in Rome's Gemelli Hospital being treated for pneumonia, the biggest health crisis of his 12-year papacy.
The 88-year-old Argentine pontiff will now take over two months to convalesce after a major scare that twice led doctors to fear for his life and which raised speculation that he might resign, rumours which aides have quashed.
Before returning to Casa Santa Marta, the pope appeared at his Gemelli room window to greet the faithful for the traditional Sunday Angelus.He then stopped off at Santa Maria Maggiore to thank the Blessed Virgin for her intercession in helping him through his health crisis, laying a bouquet of flowers in the Roman basilica.
In the Angelus text, the pope thanked his doctors and other medical staff saying the care shown by doctors reflected the patience of God.
"During this long period of hospitalization, I have had the opportunity to experience the patience of the Lord, which I also see reflected in the tireless care of doctors and healthcare workers, as well as in the care and hopes of the families of the sick,"the pontiff said in the text prepared for the Angelus.
"This trusting patience, anchored in the love of God that never fails, is truly necessary in our lives, especially to face the most difficult and painful situations," the pope added.
Francis thanked the faithful for their prayers for his health and said "let us pray also for peace".
"With so much patience and perseverance you are continuing to pray for me: I thank you so much! I also pray for you", he said.
"And together we implore an end to wars and peace, especially in the tormented Ukraine, in Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo", added the pontiff.
"May the Virgin Mary protect us and continue to accompany us on the journey towards Easter", he concluded.
Francis expressed "pain" at the resumption of hostilities in Gaza and welcomed the peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
"I was saddened by the resumption of heavy Israeli bombings on the Gaza Strip, with many dead and wounded.
"I ask that the weapons be silenced immediately; and that we have the courage to resume dialogue, so that all the hostages may be freed and a definitive ceasefire may be reached," he said. "In the Strip, the humanitarian situation is once again very serious and requires the urgent commitment of the warring parties and the international community," the pontiff added.
He went on: "I am pleased that Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed on the final text of the Peace Agreement. I hope that it will be signed as soon as possible and thus contribute to establishing lasting peace in the South Caucasus." The faithful shouted "Francis, Francis" when they saw him appear at the hospital window.
Premier Giorgia Meloni issued a statement saying she was happy that the pope was returning to the Vatican.
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