VATICAN CITY — On Sunday, Pope Francis unexpectedly joined the gathering in St. Peter’s Square for a special Jubilee Mass dedicated to the sick and healthcare workers, marking his first public appearance in the Vatican since his recent hospitalization due to pneumonia. The pontiff, who emerged unannounced in a wheelchair, was greeted with cheers and applause from the assembled crowd. His unexpected arrival was captured on big screens as spectators excitedly exclaimed, “I see the pope!” while he passed through the Holy Door before making his way to the altar.
“Good Sunday to everyone,” the pope addressed the crowd through a microphone, ensuring its functionality with a couple of gentle taps. His voice had regained strength compared to his speech following his discharge from Gemelli hospital on March 23, after a lengthy five-week stay. Although still utilizing nasal tubes for supplemental oxygen, Vatican officials noted that the dosage was being gradually decreased. Despite wearing these aids, he waved and blessed the people, though his arm movements were still somewhat restricted due to a prior, unrelated trauma.
Following the Mass, Pope Francis took a moment to interact with service participants, many of whom reverently kissed his hands as a gesture of respect. The pope then exited through the symbolic Holy Door. Francis, who has been recovering and undergoing a prescribed two-month regime of rest, therapy, and treatment for a lingering lung infection, shared reflections on his period of illness with the crowd. His words, read out by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, underscored the shared experience of vulnerability and reliance on others during times of sickness.
“In this moment of my life, I share a lot: the experience of infirmity, feeling weak, depending on others for many things, needing support,” the pope relayed. He emphasized the lessons such experiences impart, urging against the exclusion of vulnerable individuals from society. Instead, he encouraged using these experiences as opportunities for collective growth and nurturing hope. In his traditional Sunday blessing, he offered particular prayers for medical professionals, acknowledging their challenging roles and the necessity of providing them with support and respect.
The pontiff’s spontaneous appearance had a profound effect on attendees. Pasquale Citrolo from Sicily expressed his joy at witnessing the pope, saying, “It was beautiful, something completely unexpected because I didn’t think I would see the pope.” Similarly, Linda Elezi from Ancona was deeply moved by this surprise, stating, “We pray for him every day, and he prays for us, and for peace and for all the world.” She highlighted that the day’s message was centered on bringing global peace.