Vatican City: On Sunday, Pope Francis made his first public appearance since his return to the Vatican. According to CNN, Pope Francis is being seen in public for the first time since leaving the hospital two weeks ago.

The 88-year-old pope seemed to be in a good mood as he welcomed visitors at the Vatican. He seemed to be wearing what looked like a nasal cannula to help with his breathing, and he was sitting in a wheelchair.

Pneumonia kept the pope in the hospital for five weeks in February and March. According to his medical staff, he almost died throughout the sickness.

Two weeks before he was released from Gemelli Hospital in Rome, he seemed to be in better condition than when he had been last seen in public. He found it difficult to lift his arms and talk at that moment. He was able to give a thumbs up and wave to folks from a balcony, however.

Pope Francis seemed to move his arms more readily during his Sunday public visit. According to a CNN story, his voice sounded weaker yet stronger than it had been two weeks before.

The pope was first hospitalized to Gemelli Hospital on February 14 after developing a serious respiratory illness. He later developed pneumonia in both lungs after being diagnosed with a polymicrobial infection.

On March 23, he was released from the hospital and was supposed to recuperate in Casa Santa Marta, his home in the Vatican. According to CNN, Pope Francis’ physicians at the time said at a press conference that he would need to rest for at least two months in order to give his body enough time to recover completely.

For the first time since his election as pontiff in 2013, pontiff Francis spent so much time in the hospital. “Two very critical episodes in which the pope’s life was in danger” occurred during the 38 days he spent in the hospital, his doctors told reporters.