Pope Francis made a surprise appearance at Palm Sunday Mass in St Peter’s Square, greeting over 20,000 faithful.
The 88-year-old pontiff, recovering from double pneumonia, smiled and waved from his wheelchair, notably without the nasal oxygen tube seen during his previous public appearance. He offered a brief greeting: “Happy Palm Sunday, Happy Holy Week,” before returning inside the Vatican.
This marked Francis’s second public outing since his discharge from hospital on March 23, following a five-week stay for a severe lung infection. Despite medical advice to avoid crowds, he has made several unannounced appearances, including a meeting with King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
During the Mass, Cardinal Leonardo Sandri delivered the homily on the Pope’s behalf, urging compassion and solidarity with those who suffer. The Pope also expressed gratitude for prayers and called for peace in global conflict zones.
While the Vatican has not confirmed the extent of his participation in upcoming Holy Week events, Francis’s appearance offered a hopeful sign to the faithful as Easter approaches.
