Pope Francis discharged from hospital: 'Still alive,' he jokes

Pope Francis addresses the media as he leaves the Gemelli hospital on April 1, 2023 in Rome, after being discharged following treatment for bronchitis. (Photo by FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images) ROME - A chipper-sounding Pope Francis was discharged Saturday from the Rome hospital where he was treated for bronchitis, quipping to journalists before being driven away that he's "still alive."Francis, 86, was hospitalized at Gemelli Polyclinic on Wednesday following his weekly public audience in St.

Peter's Square after reportedly experiencing breathing difficulties. The pontiff received antibiotics administered intravenously during his stay, the Vatican said.In a sign of his improved health, the Vatican released details of Francis' Holy Week schedule.

It said he would preside at this weekend's Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square and at an outdoor Easter Mass on April 9. A Vatican cardinal will be at the altar to celebrate both Masses, a recent practice due to the pontiff having a troublesome knee issue.READ MORE: Notre Dame Cathedral set to reopen in December 2024, Paris officials sayBut Francis is expected to celebrate Holy Thursday Mass, which this year will be held in a juvenile prison in Rome.

Still unclear was whether he would attend the late-night, torch-lit Way of the Cross procession at Rome's Colosseum to mark Good Friday.Before departing Gemelli Polyclinic late Saturday morning, Francis had an emotional moment with a Rome couple whose 5-year-old daughter died Friday night at the Catholic hospital.