Pope greets crowds in appearance since return to Vatican
VATICAN CITY—Pope Francis was rolled into St. Peter’s Square in a wheelchair and during a special Jubilee Mass for the sick, marking his first public appearance at the Vatican on Sunday since being discharged from the hospital two weeks ago.
The Pontiff lifted his hands to wave at the crowd, who stood and applauded, as he was rolled to the front of the altar in the square.
Health crisis
Francis, 88, had been out of public view since March 23, when he had given a short greeting before leaving Rome’s Gemelli hospital after more than five weeks of treatment in the most serious health crisis of his 12-year papacy.
The Pope, in a previously unannounced move, came out to the square shortly before noon at the end of the celebration of a Mass for the Catholic Church’s Jubilee year.
Coming in front of the main altar for the service in bright sunshine.
“Happy Sunday to everyone,” the Pope said, speaking in a frail voice while receiving oxygen via a small hose under his nose. “Thank you so much.”
The Pontiff’s voice sounded stronger than when he addressed well-wishers outside the hospital on the day of his release.
