Pope Francis after five weeks plans to appear in public on Sunday and bless the believers

Pope Francis plans to appear in public on Sunday for the first time in five weeks, giving a blessing from the window of his room at Gemelli Roman Hospital while still recovering from mutual pneumonia, Vatican said on Saturday.

Francis, 88, was admitted to the hospital on February 14 with a severe respiratory infection that required further treatment.

The Pope was seen only once during his hospital stay, in a photo of the Vatican posted last week, and shows the Pope for prayer in the hospital chapel.

Francis wants to reach the hospital window around noon on Sunday to welcome and bless the gathered, Vatican said in a short statement on Saturday.

The Pope usually takes a weekly prayer on Sundays at St. Peter's Square. Francis could not do it from February 9, before leaving for the hospital.

The Vatican announced that Pope Francis would not be expected to hold a prayer on Sunday, since he is still recovering from pneumonia, stating that he will reach the window to greet the gathered in front of the hospital.