Today Pope Francis made his first public appearance in five weeks, coming to a balcony of Rome’s Gemelli Hospital to wave and give a blessing to the faithful who had gathered below.

He arrived in a wheelchair as the crowd, estimated at between 500 and 600 people, chanted his name and cheered.

Francis appeared rested but visibly fatigued by the effort, waving and giving a few thumbs up. When he asked for the microphone, he said he had spotted an elderly woman in the crowd holding a bouquet, adding in a raspy voice: “Thanks to everyone. I see a woman with yellow flowers, she’s great!”