SAO PAULO, SP (Folhapress)-Pope Francis appeared by surprise in the São Pedro Basilica, in the Vatican, on the morning of Thursday (10), according to the Holy See, wearing black pants instead of his traditional white papal costume. It was the second public appearance since Jorge Bergoglio, 88, was discharged in late March after facing his most serious health crisis in 12 years of papacy: pneumonia in both lungs.
On the same day, the Vatican released a telegram in which the pontiff “offers prayers for the eternal rest of the deceased” in the tragic collapse of the jet set disco in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. The tragedy left at least 218 deaths, according to the latest balance of the authorities.
Francisco spent more than five weeks hospitalized because of a bronchitis that became pneumonia -especially severe condition for him, which had part of a lung removed as a young man.
On medical recommendation, he must comply with two months of rest, without public activities or direct contact with the faithful, to avoid relapses. Even so, it has surprised with brief appearances. The first occurred last Sunday (6), when he greeted the crowd in São Pedro Square.
This Thursday, a video checked by the news agency Reuters shows the Pope waving to the basilica visitors while the assistants push his wheelchair. The pontiff appeared with a small nasal hose where it receives supplementary oxygen.
“We were visiting the São Pedro Basilica and saw some guards passing and paving the way, so we went to see what it was, and it was the Pope,” said Luiz Gil, who recorded the video. “Few people noticed, it was very fast, but he stopped to talk to a family with a baby.”
The reappearance takes place among the most intense week of the Catholic calendar. With the countdown to Easter, the Church celebrates Holy Week, which recalls the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Traditionally, the Pope presides at least eight ceremonies during the week, culminating in Easter Sunday Mass against tens of thousands of faithful. However, your participation this year is still uncertain. Francisco had already absent from the Holy Friday celebrations in 2023 and 2024 for health reasons, but never failed to attend Easter festivities, in which he usually makes a remarkable speech.
Francisco is recovering at the Vatican after spending 38 days at the hospital for bilateral pneumonia, in the most severe health crisis of his 12 years of papacy. The pontiff rarely makes public appearances wearing civilian costumes instead of its traditional papal garments, but occasionally wears more informal costumes during some trips abroad.
On Wednesday (9), the eve of his latest appearance, the Pope received, at an unanswered meeting, King Charles 3 and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom in the Vatican. The couple had postponed a formal visit due to the delicate health of the Pontiff. According to Buckingham Palace, the monarchs “were delighted that the Pope is well enough to receive them.”
Despite the still delicate state of health, the Vatican has released reflections written by the Pope, read during some celebrations. The possibility that he participates in events of Holy Week – Even that virtually – will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
