Pope Francis made a brief appearance in St. Peter's Square on Sunday at the end of a Palm Sunday service, greeting the crowds from his wheelchair as he continues to recover from double pneumonia.
"Happy Palm Sunday, Happy Holy Week," the pope said, before once returning inside the Vatican, stopping occasionally to talk with the faithful, including a group of delighted nuns.
Unlike last Sunday, when he made his first public appearance since being discharged from hospital three weeks ago, the pope was not receiving oxygen via a small hose under his nose.
Francis, 88, was discharged from hospital on March 23 after spending five weeks being treated for the lung infection, which his doctor later said had nearly killed him.
His medical team have urged him to take two months rest and the pope initially remained out of view after returning home. However, in a sign that he might be feeling stronger, he has made four unannounced appearances this past week, and also briefly met Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla.
It is still not known how much he will participate in the forthcoming Holy Week - the most important week in the Church calendar which is packed with services and events.
Read next
07:00
What is a Papal conclave
Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, the Catholic Church is preparing for one of its most ancient and secretive traditions: the papal conclave. This process to elect the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church combines centuries-old rituals with modern security measures to ensure
20:30
As cardinals prepare to choose the next leader of the Catholic Church, tensions are rising over whether Rome should continue to hold central authority in a rapidly globalizing faith.
15:30
World news
As Catholic cardinals prepare to elect a new pope following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, a key question arises: will the papacy return to an Italian after nearly 50 years of foreign leadership?
15:13
Roman Catholic cardinals will meet in a secret conclave to elect the new leader of the global Church starting from May 7, a senior Vatican source said on Monday.
23:13
President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met ahead of Pope Francis' funeral at the Vatican, according to sources.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment