Pope Francis makes first appearance since leaving hospital
Pope comes out to greet Vatican crowds after celebrating Mass for the Catholic Church’s jubilee year
06 April 2025 - 14:30
byJoshua McElwee
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Pope Francis appears for the first time since his return to the Vatican, on the day of a Mass for Jubilee of Sick and Health Care Workers in Saint Peter's square, at the Vatican on Sunday. Picture: Francesco Sforza
Vatican City — Pope Francis on Sunday made his first public appearance since being discharged from hospital two weeks ago after treatment for double pneumonia, entering St Peter’s Square at the Vatican in a wheelchair to greet crowds.
Francis, 88, had been out of public view since March 23, when he had given a short greeting before leaving Rome’s Gemelli hospital after more than five weeks of treatment in the most serious health crisis of his 12-year papacy.
The pope, in a previously unannounced move, came out to the square shortly before noon at the end of the celebration of a Mass for the Catholic Church’s jubilee year.
Coming in front of the main altar for the service in bright sunshine, Francis waved to the crowds, before speaking briefly.
“Happy Sunday to everyone,” the pope said, speaking in a frail voice while receiving oxygen through a small hose under his nose. “Thank you so much.”
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Pope Francis makes first appearance since leaving hospital
Pope comes out to greet Vatican crowds after celebrating Mass for the Catholic Church’s jubilee year
Vatican City — Pope Francis on Sunday made his first public appearance since being discharged from hospital two weeks ago after treatment for double pneumonia, entering St Peter’s Square at the Vatican in a wheelchair to greet crowds.
Francis, 88, had been out of public view since March 23, when he had given a short greeting before leaving Rome’s Gemelli hospital after more than five weeks of treatment in the most serious health crisis of his 12-year papacy.
The pope, in a previously unannounced move, came out to the square shortly before noon at the end of the celebration of a Mass for the Catholic Church’s jubilee year.
Coming in front of the main altar for the service in bright sunshine, Francis waved to the crowds, before speaking briefly.
“Happy Sunday to everyone,” the pope said, speaking in a frail voice while receiving oxygen through a small hose under his nose. “Thank you so much.”
Reuters
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