Pope jokes as he departs the hospital, "I'm still alive."

Pope Francis made light of his three-day hospital stay by joking that he is "still alive."

He had trouble breathing when he was admitted to Gemelli Hospital on Wednesday, and bronchitis was subsequently determined to be the cause.

If the results of his most recent test permitted it, the Vatican had previously declared that the pontiff would be released on Saturday.

Before being driven away, the 86-year-old Pope told reporters outside the hospital, "I wasn't scared, I'm still alive.

Before stepping out to address the throng, he was seen smiling and waving from the car. Then, he started toward the Vatican.

Prior to the busiest week of the Christian calender, which is Easter week, the Pope was admitted to the hospital.

As it is known, Holy Week is filled with a hectic program of activities and religious services that can be physically taxing.

The Argentine pope, who earlier this month celebrated his tenth anniversary as leader of the Catholic Church, has had a number of health problems throughout his life, including having a portion of one of his lungs removed when he was just 21 years old.