Pope Francis made a surprising appearance in St Peter’s Square during a special jubilee mass for the sick and health workers, marking his first public appearance at the Vatican since his discharge from hospital two weeks prior. The pontiff, who was assisted in a wheelchair to the front of the altar, waved at the crowd that stood and applauded his arrival. Pope Francis’s voice sounded stronger than when he addressed wellwishers outside Gemelli hospital on the day of his release on 23 March, after being diagnosed with life-threatening pneumonia during a five-week hospital stay. He has just completed two weeks of at least two months of doctor-ordered rest as he continues physical, respiratory and speech therapy, as well as treatment for a lingering lung infection.

The pope spoke to the crowd, saying, “Good Sunday to everyone,” and thanking them for their support. He referred to his experience with illness in both the traditional Sunday blessing and the homily read by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the organizer of the Holy Year, which is expected to bring 30 million pilgrims to Rome.

Addressing the sick among the crowd, the pope said in the homily read by Fisichella that “in this moment of my life I share a lot: the experience of infirmity, feeling weak, depending on the others for many things, needing support.” He urged the faithful not to push the fragile from their lives “as unfortunately a certain mentality does today.” He also offered prayers for doctors, nurses, and health care workers who are often not helped to work in adequate

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/06/pope-francis-makes-surprise-appearance-in-st-peters-square-for-jubilee-mass