Recovering Pope Francis Surprises Pilgrims With a Public Appearance

As entrances go, this one was both unexpected and welcome.That much was clear from the thunderous applause and cheers on Sunday as Pope Francis made his first public appearance since leaving a Rome hospital two weeks ago.Francis arrived, unannounced, on the dais in St.

Peter’s Square near the end of a Mass that was part of a pilgrimage by health care workers and their patients.The pope said very few words, his voice still strained after a six-week hospital stay for pneumonia and other problems that his doctors said twice brought him close to death.“Happy Sunday to everyone, many thanks,” Francis said, waving his hands.A nasal cannula was visible in both nostrils; Francis continues to rely on supplemental oxygen, the Vatican has said.Sitting on a wheelchair pushed by his trusted nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, Francis moved through groups of pilgrims — including dozens of doctors and nurses from around the world — who had come the Vatican on Sunday for this weekend’s Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care Workers.“What a wonderful surprise — the pope still has health problems but he wanted to give a gift to the faithful,” said Lamberto Rosa, a businessman who volunteers with the Order of Malta at some Vatican events.

“He has a fighting spirit and wants to be present.”We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe....