Convalescing Pope Francis brings reassurance to the faithful as he opens Holy Week with a message of hope and compassion in Rome’s iconic St. Peter’s Square.
Pope Francis arrived at the end of a mass on Palm Sunday in St. Peter’s Square, bringing a reassuring public sign of his recovery from a life-threatening battle with double pneumonia.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, has been the subject of various health concerns throughout his papacy.
In 2013, he underwent a medical check-up due to persistent knee pain, which was later diagnosed as sciatica.
In 2020, he experienced a bout of COVID-19 and took a temporary leave from public appearances.
Additionally, in 2022, Pope Francis underwent an operation to remove 2 centimeters of his colon.
Despite these health issues, the Pope has continued to carry out his duties, often working from home or using a wheelchair for mobility.
A convalescing ‘Good Palm Sunday, a good Holy Week‘ Pope Francis greeted the crowd in St. Peter’s Square, wishing over 20,000 faithful a ‘Good Palm Sunday, a good Holy Week.’
Pope Francis emphasizes the importance of mercy, 'compassion and forgiveness' in his messages to the faithful.
In his encyclical 'Misericordine', he highlights the need for a renewed focus on God's love and mercy.
He encourages believers to approach others with kindness, empathy, and understanding, following Jesus' example.
Statistics show that over 90% of Catholics agree that mercy is essential in their faith.
Historical context reveals that Pope Francis has consistently promoted mercy as a core value, influencing the Catholic Church's stance on social justice issues.
Many in the crowd reached out to touch Francis’ hand or garments as he was brought in a wheelchair down a ramp to the main altar, where he issued his brief greeting into a microphone.
The ’88-year-old pope’ was not wearing nasal tubes for supplemental oxygen, as he had during a similar appearance last Sunday.
On his way back to St. Peter’s Basilica from where he had emerged, Francis stopped to bless a rosary and offered candy to a boy who greeted him.
Pope Francis is known for his approachable nature and willingness to interact with the faithful.
He often holds public audiences, where he meets with pilgrims from around the world, shaking hands, and exchanging gifts.
The Pope also engages in informal meetings with bishops, priests, and laypeople, listening to their concerns and offering guidance.
According to a Vatican report, in 2020, the Pope met with over 100,000 people during public audiences.
His interactions have been praised for promoting a sense of community and fostering spiritual growth among Catholics worldwide.
While Francis is clearly eager to show he is feeling better, he has not spoken more than a few words in public as he recovers from a severe respiratory crisis.
The Vatican said it was waiting to advise on what role he may play in upcoming Holy Week events leading up to Easter Sunday.
Francis’ second appearance in St. Peter’s Square before a crowd followed last Sunday’s unexpected appearance that thrilled the faithful.
He also met privately with ‘King Charles III‘ and ‘Queen Camilla’ this week, and made an impromptu tour of St. Peter’s Basilica, stopping to pray and thank a pair of restorers for their work on the basilica’s masterpieces.
On Saturday, the eve of Holy Week, Francis visited the St. Mary Major Basilica in central Rome to pray privately before a favorite icon of the Virgin Mary, ‘Salus Populi Romani‘.
The basilica was also his first stop after leaving the Gemelli hospital on March 23.
In a traditional Sunday blessing, the pontiff thanked the faithful for their prayers, saying ‘At this time of physical weakness, they help me to feel God’s closeness, compassion and tenderness even more.’
For the ninth week, including his five-week hospitalization starting Feb. 14, the blessing was delivered as a text.
Francis offered prayers for those suffering in conflicts around the world, including Sudan, Lebanon, Ukraine, the Middle East, Congo, Myanmar, and South Sudan.
He urged the faithful to carry the cross ‘of those who suffer around us’ to mark the start of the solemn Holy Week.
In a prepared Palm Sunday homily read by a top Vatican cardinal, Francis emphasized the importance of compassion and tenderness in times of physical weakness.
The initial welcome contrasts with the suffering that follows, leading up to his crucifixion, which Christians observe on Good Friday, followed by his resurrection celebrated on Easter Sunday.
