Pope Francis on Palm Sunday brought smiles to thousands as he made an unexpected appearance in St. Peter’s Square, stepping out to greet the faithful despite ongoing health concerns and warnings from his medical team.
The 88-year-old pontiff, currently recovering from a bout of pneumonia, took part in the event from his wheelchair, waving to the crowd and handing out sweets to children. His presence came as a surprise, as he was not listed on the official schedule for the day. Observers noted that the Pope appeared in good spirits and, notably, was not wearing the nasal cannula previously used to support his breathing.
This marks the second consecutive Sunday the Pope has joined public gatherings after being discharged from the hospital, which saw the longest stay of his papacy. Doctors have urged the pontiff to avoid strenuous activities and crowded areas to allow his body to recover, but Francis seems determined to maintain contact with the public and carry on his duties, albeit in a reduced capacity.
Throughout the week leading up to Palm Sunday, the Pope made several unannounced outings. On Thursday, he visited Saint Peter’s Basilica to look over restoration work and to pray at the tomb of Pope Pius X. He followed that with a visit on Saturday to Santa Maria Maggiore, one of his favorite churches in Rome, where he spent time in prayer.
In another notable moment, Pope Francis held a private audience with King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Wednesday. The visit had been postponed earlier due to the Pope’s illness but was quietly rescheduled once he began feeling better.
Although the Pope has been actively engaging in various duties, the Vatican has yet to confirm how much he will participate in the upcoming Easter events. Easter is considered the most important season in the Christian faith, and any involvement from Francis will be closely watched.
