Pope quips as he leaves the hospital, "I'm still alive."

Pope Francis has joked that he is "still alive" as he left hospital in Rome after a three-day stay. He was admitted to Gemelli Hospital mid-week with breathing difficulties and later diagnosed with bronchitis. The Vatican had said he was responding to antibiotics and would be released on Saturday, depending on test results. The 86-year-old pontiff was seen smiling and waving from the car, before getting out to speak to a crowd. The Pope is expected to take part in this weekend's service for Palm Sunday, the Passion of the Lord, and will return to Santa Marta, the papal residence within the Vatican, once he has left hospital.

The Argentine pontiff, who marked 10 years as head of the Catholic Church earlier this month, has suffered a number of health issues throughout his life, including having part of one of his lungs removed at age 21 and using a wheelchair in recent months. He has remained active, visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan in February and leading the funeral of his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI.