Pope Francis to lead Palm Sunday services day after leaving hospital

Pope Francis will lead Mass in St Peter’s Square on Sunday as he kicks off the year’s Easter services, just a day after leaving hospital.

He was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Wednesday with breathing difficulties, and later diagnosed with bronchitis.

As the 86-year-old left hospital on Saturday, he confirmed he would oversee the Palm Sunday ceremony followed by the Angelus prayer.

He joked that he was “still alive”.

“I just felt a malaise, but I wasn’t afraid,” Italian news agency Ansa quoted him as saying.

After being discharged, the pontiff was seen smiling and waving from his car, before getting out to speak to a crowd.

Instead of heading home, his car drove past the Vatican and stopped at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. When he came out after praying, people on the street applauded and shouted: “Long live the Pope!”