Vatican News reported that Pope Francis hopes to have a happy Holy Week gathered on Saint Peter’s Square after the crowds hosted by Leonardo Sandri ended.
Francis, who is recovering from double pneumonia, greets the crowd in his wheelchair for about 10 minutes. He occasionally pauses to talk to faithful people, including a group of joyful nuns.
Unlike last Sunday, he made his first public appearance since he was discharged from the hospital three weeks ago pope Not receiving oxygen through the small hose under the nose.
Francis, 88, was discharged on March 23 after spending five weeks of treatment for a lung infection, and his doctors later said it almost killed him.
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Pope Francis arrives at the end of Mass on Sunday, April 13, 2025 on Palm in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican. (Alexandra Tarantino)
Holy See information An estimated 40,000 people gathered in the square to attend Palm Sunday to celebrate the Lord’s passion and said the Pope “limited his contact with the elements in order to continue to recover from the respiratory system.”
Sandri reads Francis’ homily during Mass, which marks the beginning of Holy Week. Holy Week commemorates the Lord’s passion, death and resurrection.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista unexpectedly appeared in the hands of Pope Francis during the Palm Sunday Mass at Saint Peter’s Square in the Vatican on April 13, 2025. (Yara Nardi)
The faithful from St. Peter’s Square Palm leaves or olive branches with blessings to mark the occasion.
The Vatican said it is waiting to play what role it plays in the upcoming Holy Week event for the upcoming Easter Sunday.
Pope Francis speaks when he unexpectedly appears at the Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican on April 13, 2025. (Vatican Media/Handout)
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“Sisters and brothers, I am very grateful for your prayers,” the Pope said in a statement released by the church media office. “At this time, when physically weak, they helped me feel the intimacy, sympathy and tenderness of God more. I pray for you, too, and I ask you to suffer with me. ”
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
