Pope Francisis offering his prayers onEaster Sunday.

Highlighting “trust among individuals, peoples and nations,” Francis said that Easter “illumines the darkness and gloom in which, all too often, our world finds itself enveloped,” per the outlet.

Francis' Sunday appearance took place after he was discharged from the hospital on April 1, where he spent three daysafter seeking treatment for bronchitis.

Although he skipped out on attending an outdoor procession on Good Friday due to cold weather in Rome, he did attend a later indoor prayer service at St. Peter’s Basilica, perThe Washington Post. He also took part in an Easter vigil Mass on Saturday,NBC Newsreported.

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VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - APRIL 09: Pope Francis leads the Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Square on April 09, 2023 in Vatican City, Vatican. Over 45,000 pilgrims filled a sunny St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday morning. (Photo by Alessandra Benedetti - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

The pontiff’s recent hospital stay came after Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni said the pope had “complained of some respiratory difficulties” before visiting Policlinico A. Gemelli for “medical checks,” per CNN.

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VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - APRIL 09: Pope Francis delivers his Easter Urbi et Orbi blessing from the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square on April 09, 2023 in Vatican City, Vatican. Following the liturgy, the Holy Father gave the traditional ‘Blessing Urbi et Orbi’- to the city of Rome, and to the world. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

“The outcome of the same showed a respiratory infection (excluding Covid-19 infection) that will require a few days of appropriate hospital medical therapy,” the spokesperson said.

Upon his departure, Francis gave a thumbs up and joked, he was “still alive, you know,” per theAP.

RELATED VIDEO: Pope Francis Jokes He’s ‘Still Alive’ After Leaving Hospital for Bronchitis Treatment

The Pope — who occasionally uses a wheelchair and delayed a trip last yeardue to knee problems— recently spoke about considering “the possibility of stepping aside.”

“I either need to save myself a little in order to continue serving the Church, or I need to consider the possibility of stepping aside,” he told reporters in July.

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VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - APRIL 09: Pope Francis waves to the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, from the popemobile, at the end of the Easter Mass on April 9, 2023 in Vatican City, Vatican. Following the liturgy, the Holy Father gave the traditional ‘Blessing Urbi et Orbi’- to the city of Rome, and to the world. (Photo by Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)

Back in December, the Pope also revealed to a Spanish newspaper that he hadpenned a resignation letternearly a decade ago.

“I have already signed my renunciation,” Francis told the outlet. “I signed it and said: “‘If I should become impaired for medical reasons or whatever, here is my resignation. Here you have it.’ "

source: people.com