Pope Francis was released from the hospital Sunday and made a brief public appearance to thank a crowd of well-wishers. The 88-year-old pope spent 38 days in Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where he battled a lung infection, double pneumonia and two respiratory crises that nearly killed him.

Pope Francis is back home in the Vatican after spending 38 days in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital where was treated for double pneumonia and survived two crises where his life was in danger.

Pope Francis made his first public appearance since being hospitalized. He blessed a cheering crowd of thousands before returning to the Vatican.