Pope Francis makes surprise appearance in St Peter's Square
John Phillips
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6 April 2025
VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis appeared in St Peter's Square Sunday for the first time since he was hospitalised earlier this year, smiling and greeting a crowd of pilgrims and faithful attending an open air Mass for the Jubilee of the sick, part of the Holy Year activities under way in the Vatican.
The pontiff, 88, wearing white robes and a white skullcap, was pushed in a wheelchair through the throng to the covered altar on a stage at around !!:36 a.m.under sunny skies. Speaking in a hoarse voice, Francis said "Buona Domenica a tutti," (Happy Sunday to you all), then repeated the greeting in a slightly stronger voice, adding in Italian "Grazie a tutti," (Thank you all).
The pope remained in the wheelchair on the stage for a few minutes as the crowd applauded him and then was wheeled away toward St Peter's Basilica. In his weekly Angelus address, the text of which was released by the Vatican press office, Francis called for an end to Russian attacks on Ukraine and an end to violence in Gaza.
JP
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