Pope appears on hospital balcony to bless crowd in 1st public appearance in battle with pneumonia

ROME (AP) — A weak and frail looking Pope Francis appeared on a hospital balcony Sunday to bless the crowd in his first public outing in five weeks and ahead of his release from the hospital after surviving a life-threatening bout of pneumonia. The 88-year-old pope gave a thumbs up and acknowledged the crowd after he was wheeled out onto the balcon…