Pope Francis Makes His First Public Appearance Since Being Discharged from the Hospital Two Weeks Ago
Pope Francis made his first public appearance on Sunday since being discharged from the hospital two weeks ago, offering a moment of reassurance and gratitude to the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square. The 88-year-old pontiff appeared at the window of the Apostolic Palace to deliver his traditional Angelus prayer, smiling and waving to the crowd, signaling a strong return after a recent health scare that left many Catholics around the world concerned.
Looking slightly thinner but noticeably energized, Pope Francis greeted thousands of pilgrims who erupted into applause as he appeared. “I thank you for your prayers, for your messages, and for your love,” the Pope said in Italian. “Your closeness has been a great comfort to me.”
Francis was hospitalized for six days last month due to what the Vatican described as “a respiratory infection,” prompting speculation about his long-term health. Though Vatican officials had emphasized that his condition was stable, the Pope’s age and previous health issues—including lung surgery in his youth and colon surgery in 2021—sparked global concern.
This public appearance, however, went a long way in easing those fears.
“Seeing him again is like a miracle,” said Lucia Romano, a pilgrim from Naples. “We prayed for him every day. Today, we received our blessing in person.”
Pope Francis spoke clearly and at length, touching on themes of peace, humility, and the importance of compassion in today’s divided world. He called for an end to global conflicts, with special mention of war-torn regions like Ukraine and Gaza, and emphasized the need to care for the vulnerable in society.
“We must not grow indifferent to the suffering of others,” he said. “Let us be builders of peace, even in the smallest gestures.”
Observers noted that the Pope, while not fully returning to his pre-hospitalization pace, seemed committed to maintaining his public role. Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni confirmed that Francis will gradually resume his full schedule in the coming weeks, including meetings with visiting dignitaries and the upcoming Holy Week celebrations.
“The Holy Father is in good spirits and recovering steadily,” Bruni said. “Today was an important step forward.”
Despite his ongoing health challenges, Francis has made it clear that he does not intend to slow down in his spiritual mission. He has often referred to his papacy as a “journey with the people,” and Sunday’s appearance underscored that sentiment.
“This Pope doesn’t let anything stop him,” said Father Angelo Serra, a local priest who attended the Angelus. “He leads by example—even in suffering.”
As the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica rang out and the Pope blessed the crowd, there was a palpable sense of relief and renewed faith among the attendees.
“He is our shepherd,” said another pilgrim. “And today, we saw him again.”
Pope Francis is expected to lead Palm Sunday Mass next weekend, marking the official start of Holy Week—an important time in the Catholic Church. His return is being seen not only as a sign of recovery but also as a symbol of resilience and hope.
