Pope Francis on Wednesday gave his first public audience since spending 38 days in hospital in Rome fighting life-threatening pneumonia. In the wake of his hospital stay at the Policlinico Gemelli, the 88-year-old convalescing Argentine pontiff met for about 20 minutes in the rooms behind the Paul VI Hall with the managers and staff of the Foundation that administers Rome's Cattolica University and hospital: about 70 people who assisted him during his days of hospitalisation. "Thank you for the service in the hospital, very good: keep it up!", said Francis, who greeted those present one by one, starting with the Rector of the university Elena Beccalli. "When women are in charge, things go well," he added. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA