At the Vatican, the Pope has stood in front of applauding crowds.
The pontiff made his first formal public appearance since being discharged from the hospital two weeks prior.
Pope Francis, 88, was treated by physicians for a potentially fatal case of double pneumonia at the Gemelli hospital in Rome for five weeks.
At the conclusion of a liturgy celebrating the Catholic Church’s Jubilee year, the Pope made an unexpected appearance by entering St. Peter’s Square in a wheelchair just before noon local time.
Francis waved to cheering spectators in front of the service’s main altar before speaking for a short while.
He was on oxygen through a nasal cannula and spoke in a weak voice: “Happy Sunday to all of you. Thank you very much.
He experienced the “caring touch” of God, according to a statement written by the Pope and issued by the Vatican.
“On the day of the jubilee of the sick and the world of healthcare, I ask the Lord that this touch of his love may reach those who suffer and encourage those who care for them,” it said.
“And I pray for doctors, nurses and health workers, who are not always helped to work in adequate conditions and are sometimes even victims of aggression.”
Pope Francis was cheered by crowds on Sunday.
Francis has not been seen by the public since he briefly greeted people on March 23 before being released from the hospital.
This time, the pontiff’s voice seemed louder than when he spoke with difficulty to well-wishers outside Gemelli.
On Sundays, Francis often leads a weekly prayer at noon in St. Peter’s Square.
However, since February 9th, when he was admitted to the hospital, he has been unable to do this.
On February 14, a case of bronchitis that progressed to double pneumonia led to his admission to Gemelli.
Given that he suffered pleurisy as a young adult and had a portion of one lung removed, this is a very dangerous situation for him.
