Pope Francis made a surprise entry into Saint-Pierre square during a special jubilee mass for patients and health workers on Sunday, marking his first public appearance at the Vatican since his departure two weeks ago after a deadly fight with pneumonia.
The pontiff made a sign of the crowd of faithful who got up and applauded while he was pushed in an unexpected wheelchair at the front of the altar on the square. Some have exclaimed: “I see the pope!” While his image emerged for the first time on a large showing screen passing through the holy door before being shot a ramp to the altar.
“Good Sunday to everyone,” said Francis, speaking in a microphone, whom he hit to make sure that he was working on a second attempt. “Thank you so much.”
The pontiff’s voice seemed stronger than when it was addressed to sympathizers outside the Gemelli hospital on March 23, after a five -week hospital stay.
He wore nasal tubes to receive additional oxygen, which, according to the Vatican, is gradually reduced. While he agitated and blessed the crowd, his arms movements remained limited – which, according to his doctor, was not linked to his illness but to an unpertified trauma suffered before his hospitalization of February 14.
After mass, the pontiff welcomed some of those who helped the service, many who bowed to kiss her hands. He came out of the square through the holy door.
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Pope shares his experience of being sick
Francis has just finished two weeks of at least two months of rest ordered by the doctor while he continues from physical, respiratory and speech therapy, as well as treatment for a persistent pulmonary infection.
The Pope has referred to his experience of the disease both in the traditional Sunday blessing and the homily read by the Archbishop Rino Fisichella, organizer of the Holy Year who should bring some 30 million pilgrims to Rome.
Addressing the patients among the crowd, the pope said in the homily read by Fisichella that “at the moment of my life, I share a lot: the experience of infirmity, to feel weak, according to others for many things, requiring 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 despair, recognizing God and our brothers for the good that we receive, trusting what is to come.”
He also urged the faithful not to push the fragiles of their lives “as unfortunately a certain mentality does today. Do not ostracted the pain of our construction. Instead, let’s make the opportunity to grow together, cultivate hope. ”
In the traditional Sunday blessing, he offered prayers for doctors, nurses and health workers “who are not always helped to work in inadequate conditions, sometimes victims of attack. Their mission is not easy and must be supported and respected. ”
The faithful were moved by the unexpected appearance of the Pope.
“It was beautiful, something completely unexpected because I did not think I would see the pope,” said Pasquale Citrolo de Trapani, in Sicily. “Instead, he gave us this gift.”
Linda Elezi, from the Adriatic coastal province of Ancône, said that she had been affected by the Pope’s “surprise”.
“We pray for him every day, and he prays for us, and for peace and for the whole Wold, because it is the message of our pilgrimage today: bring peace to the world,” she said.
–Barry reported to Milan.
& Copy 2025 the Canadian press
