Pope Francis made a surprise appearance at St. Peter’s Square on April 6, his first public event after a 38-day hospitalization for double pneumonia. The 88-year-old Pope, who nearly lost his life during his illness, smiled and thanked the crowd as he joined a special Jubilee Mass for the sick and healthcare workers. He has since been recovering at the Vatican and receiving therapy, with doctors estimating a 90% to 100% recovery.
During the mass, Archbishop Rino Fisichella read the Pope’s Traditional Sunday Blessings and Homily, in which Francis reflected on his illness and encouraged compassion towards the vulnerable. He emphasized the importance of supporting each other in times of weakness and discouraged the dismissal of those who are suffering.
Francis thanked healthcare professionals for their vital work, urging them to view their work as sacred and to treat patients with humanity. He also called for world peace, emphasizing the need for dialogue in conflict zones and support for suffering populations. Throughout his message, the Pope highlighted the need for love and connection in times of hardship, expressing hope for healing and community growth.
Source link