Pope Francis surprised the faithful when he came out to greet them at the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, his first public appearance since being discharged from the hospital.
Francis, 88, came out equipped in a wheelchair and oxygen tank in front of the main altar for the service —- as he smiled and waved at the crowds of worshippers before delivering a short remark.
“Happy Sunday to everyone,” the ailing pope said in a frail voice while receiving air through a small hose under his nose.
“Thank you so much,” he added to the well-wishers.
Pope Francis speaks to a crowd from a wheelchair in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on April 6, 2025. REUTERSThe appearance came shortly before noon at the end of the celebration of a Mass for the church’s Jubilee year.
Although he spoke weakly, Francis sounded better than when he made his last public statement on March 23, in which the pontiff struggled to even speak.
It remains unclear if Sunday’s short appearance marked Francis’ return to host the weekly noon-time prayer session at St. Peter’s, which the pontiff had held every Sunday before his health took a turn for the worse on Feb. 9.
The pope was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14 for bronchitis, which developed into a bout of double pneumonia, a serious infection that can inflame and scar both lungs, making it difficult to breathe
The condition was especially serious for Francis since he developed pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed.
Pope Francis waves to the crowd gathered at the Vatican. REUTERS
Pope Francis is wheel out onto St. Peter’s Square at the end of the the celebration of a Mass for the Catholic Church’s Jubilee year. REUTERSThe pope came close to death during his 38-day hospitalization, with his doctors even considering ending treatment so he could die in peace, his medical chief said last month.
Francis, however, managed to recover and was discharged from the hospital on March 23, but the pope still appears to be far from fully recovered.
Despite his current condition, the pope said he was compelled to appear to his flock on Sunday, as the mass was also part of a celebration to honor healthcare workers and those who aid the sickly.
Following his visit to St. Peter’s, Francis released a statement wishing all those who are hospitalized a speedy recovery, noting that he felt God’s presence during his own stay at Gemelli.
“I ask the Lord that this touch of his love might reach all those who suffer and encourage those who are taking care of them,” he said.
With Post wires
