Pope Francis made his first public appearance on Sunday since being released from the hospital two weeks ago, where he received treatment for double pneumonia. He arrived in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican in a wheelchair, greeted by enthusiastic crowds.
The 88-year-old pontiff had remained out of the public eye since March 23, when he delivered a brief message before departing from Rome’s Gemelli hospital after over five weeks of treatment, marking the most significant health challenge of his 12-year papacy.
In a surprise move, Francis emerged in the square shortly before noon (1000 GMT) following a Mass celebrating the Catholic Church’s Jubilee year.
Standing in bright sunlight before the main altar, he waved to the audience and spoke briefly. “Happy Sunday to everyone,” he said in a fragile voice while using a small oxygen tube under his nose. “Thank you so much.”
The pope beamed as he interacted with the crowd. Although his voice was still weak, it appeared stronger than during his March 23 appearance, when he had difficulty speaking.
Typically, Francis leads a weekly prayer in St. Peter’s Square on Sundays, but he has been unable to do so since February 9, prior to his hospitalization.
He was admitted to the hospital on February 14 due to bronchitis, which escalated into double pneumonia—an especially critical condition for him, given his history of pleurisy and the removal of part of one lung in his youth.
At one point during his 38-day hospital stay, his doctors considered halting treatment due to the severity of his condition, allowing him to pass away peacefully, as revealed by the head of his medical team last month.
Two Months of Recuperation
The Sunday Mass served as a special tribute to healthcare professionals and individuals facing illness. In a message issued by the Vatican shortly after noon, Pope Francis expressed that he felt a profound sense of God’s presence during his hospital stay.
“I pray that this manifestation of His love may reach all who are suffering and uplift those who care for them,” the message stated.
It remains uncertain how frequently the pope will make public appearances in the upcoming weeks, especially with Easter Sunday approaching in just two weeks.
Medical professionals have advised Pope Francis to take a two-month rest at his residence in the Vatican to facilitate healing for his aging body, leading to the cancellation of all prior engagements on his schedule.
King Charles of Britain, who is set to visit Italy next week for a state occasion, has postponed a planned meeting with the pope.
The Vatican has yet to confirm whether Pope Francis will preside over the Easter celebrations on April 20, which is the most significant holiday in the Christian calendar.
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