Pope Francis makes surprise appearance at St Peter’s Square, 2 weeks after leaving hospital release

Pope Francis made a surprise entrance to St Peter’s Square on Sunday during a special Jubilee Mass for the sick and health workers, marking his first public appearance at the Vatican since his release from the hospital two weeks ago.

Advertisement

The pontiff waved at the crowd that stood and applauded as he was rolled unannounced to the front of the altar in the square.

“Good Sunday to everyone,” Francis said into a microphone, tapping it to make sure it was working on a second attempt. “Thank you very much.” The pontiff’s voice sounded stronger than when he addressed well-wishers outside of Gemelli hospital on the day of his release on March 23, after battling life-threatening pneumonia during a five-week hospital stay.

He has just completed two weeks of at least two months of doctor-ordered rest as he continues physical, respiratory, and speech therapy, as well as treatment for a lingering lung infection.

The pope referred to his experience with illness in both the traditional Sunday blessing and the homily read by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, organiser of the Holy Year, that is expected to bring 30 million pilgrims to Rome.

Addressing the sick among the crowd, the pope said in the homily read by Fisichella that, “In this moment of my life, I share a lot: the experience of infirmity, feeling weak, depending on others, needing support.

“It is not easy, but it is a school in which we learn every day to love and to let ourselves be loved, without demanding and without rejecting, without regretting, without despairing, grateful to God and to our brothers for the good we receive, trusting in what is still to come.’

He also urged the faithful not to push the fragile from their lives “as unfortunately a certain mentality does today. Let’s not ostracise pain from our surroundings. Let’s instead make it an opportunity to grow together and cultivate hope.”

In the traditional Sunday blessing, Pope Francis offered prayers for doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers, “who are not always helped to work in inadequate conditions and at times are even victims of aggression. Their mission is not easy and must be supported and respected’.