Pope Francis lifted spirits on Palm Sunday by greeting worshippers with a surprise tour of St Peter’s Square, defying doctors’ orders to avoid crowds while recovering from pneumonia.
For the second consecutive Sunday since his longest hospital stay to date, the 88-year-old pontiff left his Vatican residence to mingle with the faithful. Seated in a wheelchair, he handed out sweets to children and shook hands with visitors in a lively and unannounced appearance.
The Argentine pope looked to be in good health and was seen without the nasal cannula—a breathing aid he had been using during his recovery.
Despite medical advice to rest, Francis has made several low-key public appearances in recent days that were not listed on the official Vatican schedule. On Thursday, he visited Saint Peter’s Basilica to view ongoing renovation works and pray at the tomb of Pope Pius X. On Saturday, he made another quiet outing to Santa Maria Maggiore, one of his favourite churches in Rome.
Pope Francis also resumed diplomatic engagements, privately receiving King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Wednesday after a previously scheduled meeting was cancelled due to his illness.
While his participation in next week’s Easter celebrations—Christianity’s most sacred season—remains uncertain, his recent activity has suggested a steady recovery.
In his Angelus prayer on Sunday, released by the Vatican, the pontiff thanked the faithful for their prayers and renewed his frequent appeal for peace across the globe.
