By Robert Messer and Christoph Sator

Rome - Pope Francis (88) is back in the Vatican after major concerns about his health. After more than five weeks of inpatient treatment, the head of the Catholic Church was able to leave the Gemelli Hospital in Rome.

However, doctors strongly recommend that Francis continues to take it easy - for at least two months. At the age of 88, the Argentinian is now the second oldest pope in history.

Immediately before his release, the Pope appeared in public for the first time in a month and a half from a balcony at the clinic. In a wheelchair and with a weak voice, he thanked everyone for their great support. He said in Italian : "Ringrazio tutti!" ("Thank you all!"). Several thousand people cheered him on from below.

There was great joy among the people. "Francis, we are all at your side!" shouted a woman in the direction of the Pope. "Good health to you!" shouted another.

The Pope waved to the crowd and thanked them again, he also noticed a woman in the crowd: "I greet the woman with the yellow flowers," he said into the microphone in a stricken voice.

The woman with the yellow flowers, Carmela Vittoria Mancuso (79), later told journalists: "I don't know what to say. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I didn't think I would be 'seen' like this. He was supposed to give the blessing and saw my bouquet of roses instead. I wish him a speedy recovery and that he is back among us as before."