Ahead of the main altar, Francisco waved to those present, admired with the surprise greeting of the Catholic leader
SAO PAULO, SP (Folhapress)-Pope Francis has made his first public appearance since he was discharged, two weeks ago, as he greet a multitude of faithful in St. Peter’s Square, in the Vatican, just before Sunday noon (6), in a previously announced action.
Ahead of the main altar, Francisco waved to those present, admired by the surprise greeting of the Catholic leader. “A happy Sunday to everyone,” he said, sitting in a wheelchair and receiving oxygen through a small tube under the nose. “Thank you very much.”
Faced with thousands of cameras and cell phones, the 88 -year -old pontiff blessed the faithful and greeted, one by one, people positioned behind the altar. His voice was fragile, but stronger than when he left Gemelli Hospital in Rome in late March.
Since the last 23rd, when he made a brief appearance before leaving the health center, the Pope was out of public sight after spending more than five weeks treating pneumonia in both lungs – the most severe health crisis of his 12 years of papacy.
Francisco usually offers a prayer in St. Peter’s Square on Sundays, but he can’t do it since February 9, before going to the hospital. He was hospitalized on February 14 because of a bronchitis that turned into pneumonia – especially serious condition for him, who had part of a lung removed as a young man.
Although the Vatican has informed improvements in recent days, Francisco should follow a two -month convalescence period without public activity and without contact with the faithful to limit the risk of relapse.
During their hospitalization, doctors reported that the Pope’s life was dangerous on two occasions. In one of them, Francisco came so close to death that his doctors considered to interrupt the treatment so that he could die in peace, said the boss of his medical team last month.
The mass that anticipated its appearance is part of a special celebration in honor of health professionals and sick. In a message released by the Vatican shortly after noon, Francis said he felt God’s closeness during his time in the hospital.
“I ask the Lord that this touch of his love can reach all those who suffer and encourage those who are taking care of them,” says the text of the Pontiff.
It is unclear how often the Pope will appear in public in the coming days. King Charles 3 of the United Kingdom is coming to Italy next week for a state visit and canceled a meeting with Francis.
The Vatican has not yet said if the Pope can lead the celebrations for Easter, the most important holiday of the Christian year, which occurs in only two weeks.
