Pope Francis left the Policlinico Gemelli hospital in Rome this Saturday after three nights admitted for bronchitis and, asked how he was, joked: “I’m still alive.”

The Pope has returned to his residence in the Vatican’s Santa Marta house in a white Fiat 500, the car he normally uses, greeting the group of journalists who were waiting for him.

Upon leaving the hospital, said his spokesman, Matteo Bruni, the Pontiff wanted to get out of the car and greet the faithful. He has also hugged a couple who lost his daughter last night, stopping to pray with them.