A quiet Thursday afternoon at St. Peter’s Basilica turned into something extraordinary, as visitors caught a rare glimpse of Pope Francis — not in his familiar white papal robes, but dressed in black trousers and a striped blanket.
The 88-year-old pontiff, recovering from double pneumonia, made an unannounced appearance inside the Vatican’s grand basilica, his second public outing since leaving the hospital on March 23. In a video verified by Reuters, he is seen in a wheelchair, waving gently to visitors, a thin nasal hose supplying oxygen tucked under his nose.
"We were visiting St. Peter's Basilica and saw some guards passing by and making way, so we went to see what it was, and it was the pope," said Luiz Gil, who captured the moment. "Few people noticed, it was very quick, but he stopped to talk to a family with a baby."
The appearance, though brief, offered a glimpse into the pope’s slow recovery. His aides have kept his schedule light since he left hospital, following a 38-day stay — the longest of his 12-year papacy. Only once before had he appeared in public since then, when he greeted crowds during an April 6 event in St. Peter’s Square.
Francis is known for his humility, but it remains uncommon for a sitting pope to wear civilian clothes in the heart of the Vatican. He has dressed down before, usually during low-key events or international travel, but Thursday’s sighting was different — personal, quiet, unannounced.
No formal statement accompanied the visit, but the message was clear. Even in recovery, even in black trousers, Francis remains close to the people.
Türkiye continues battling large-scale forest fires across multiple provinces, with hundreds evacuated and extensive firefighting efforts underway since June 27.
The United States and the Group of Seven nations have agreed on a plan to exempt U.S. companies from parts of a major global tax deal, a move set to reshape international tax stability.
Large crowds dressed in black flooded the streets of Tehran on Saturday, mourning Iran’s top military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians killed during this month’s brutal aerial war with Israel.
Ukraine's Security Service carried out overnight airstrikes on a Russian military airfield in occupied Crimea, reportedly destroying three helicopters and a key air defense system.
Azerbaijan has summoned Russia’s envoy in Baku to protest the deadly raids targeting Azerbaijani nationals in Yekaterinburg, demanding a full investigation and accountability.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will hold talks with Lotus after the carmaker moved to ease concerns over the future of its UK factory.
A notorious hacking group known as “Scattered Spider” has breached the networks of several airlines in the US and Canada this month, according to the FBI and cybersecurity experts.
Severe storms overnight triggered mass flight cancellations and delays at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, just as the busy 4th of July travel period begins.
France will impose its toughest outdoor smoking restrictions starting Monday, banning smoking at beaches, parks, playgrounds, and bus stops.
Russia’s Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova arrived in North Korea on Saturday with a large delegation, calling cultural ties between Moscow and Pyongyang stronger than ever.
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
The U.S. economy faces a 40% risk of recession in the second half of 2025, JP Morgan analysts said on Wednesday, citing rising tariffs and stagflation concerns.
Severe rain in Venezuela has caused rivers to overflow and triggered landslides, sweeping away homes and collapsing a highway bridge, with five states affected and no casualties reported so far.
China has ramped up efforts to protect communities impacted by flood control measures, introducing stronger compensation policies and direct aid from the central government.
The U.S. Embassy in Qatar has advised American citizens to shelter in place amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, as part of a broader global security alert issued by Washington.
Severe storms overnight triggered mass flight cancellations and delays at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, just as the busy 4th of July travel period begins.
Russia’s Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova arrived in North Korea on Saturday with a large delegation, calling cultural ties between Moscow and Pyongyang stronger than ever.
The U.S. Senate advanced President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax-cut and spending bill after Republicans resolved concerns over rural hospitals and state tax deductions.
Poland’s six-month presidency of the EU Council ends Sunday, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk highlighting defence spending and migration policies as key outcomes.
Polish President Andrzej Duda made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Saturday, where he was awarded Ukraine’s Order of Freedom for his support during the ongoing war with Russia.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will hold talks with Lotus after the carmaker moved to ease concerns over the future of its UK factory.
A notorious hacking group known as “Scattered Spider” has breached the networks of several airlines in the US and Canada this month, according to the FBI and cybersecurity experts.
Severe storms overnight triggered mass flight cancellations and delays at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, just as the busy 4th of July travel period begins.
France will impose its toughest outdoor smoking restrictions starting Monday, banning smoking at beaches, parks, playgrounds, and bus stops.
Russia’s Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova arrived in North Korea on Saturday with a large delegation, calling cultural ties between Moscow and Pyongyang stronger than ever.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment