Pope Francis joked “I’m still alive” as he left hospital following treatment for a respiratory infection.

The 86-year-old was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Wednesday to be treated for bronchitis.

He sat in the front seat of a white car, waving to a group of journalists outside the hospital after being discharged.

“I wasn’t frightened, I’m still alive,” he said in a light-hearted remark to reporters.

The Vatican confirmed the pontiff will be St. Peter’s Square for Palm Sunday Mass to mark the start of Holy Week.

Pope Francis – who had part of one lung removed as a young man – had complained of breathing difficulties before being admitted to hospital on Wednesday for tests.

On Thursday, spokesman Matteo Bruni said the pope had rested well overnight and was working from his room at Rome’s Gemelli hospital.

While in hospital, the pope baptised a baby during a visit to a paediatric oncology ward, where he also brought children “rosaries, chocolate easter eggs and copies of an Italian book for children about Jesus”.

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