Rome: After receiving successful treatment for a severe case of bronchitis, Pope Francis was released from the hospital the day after Palm Sunday services were held in St. Peter's Square.

He was driven onto the broad esplanade, where he sat in the back of an open-topped car as it made its way through the crowds. He then descended to his position beneath an obelisk from ancient Egypt and began the service there.

The pope, 86, was admitted to the Gemelli hospital in Rome on Wednesday after complaining of breathing problems, but he quickly recovered after receiving an antibiotic infusion and went back to his residence in the Vatican on Saturday.

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Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday and lasts through Easter Sunday, which falls on April 9 this year. The pope's endurance will be put to the test by its many events.

After receiving treatment for bronchitis, Pope Francis made light of his illness on Saturday by saying, "I wasn't frightened, I'm still alive." He then left the hospital and headed back to the Vatican.

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The pope, 86, was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on Wednesday after claiming to be having breathing problems. His medical staff has reported that he responded quickly to an antibiotic infusion.

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When the pope last left the hospital in 2021 after having colon surgery, the media was kept away from him. Francis got out of his car on his way out this time to greet well-wishers and speak to waiting reporters in an effort to demonstrate to the world that he was fully recovered. He supported himself with a walking stick.