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Pope making 1st public appearance before hospital discharge and return to Vatican for convalescence

ABC News
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The 88-year-old pontiff plans to offer a Sunday blessing from the 10th -floor papal suite at Rome ’s Gemelli hospital.

After saying goodbye to hospital staff, he is to return to the Vatican to begin at least two months of rest, rehabilitation and convalescence.

Doctors have said he should refrain from meeting in big groups or exerting himself.

The pope has already missed several Jubilee audiences and will presumably miss several more.

Vatican officials say his absence hasn't significantly impacted the numbers of expected pilgrims arriving.

Only St. John Paul II recorded a longer hospitalization in 1981 when he spent 55 days at Gemelli for minor surgery and treatment of an infection.

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