Pope Francis appears
after Mass for the Jubilee of the Sick (VATICAN MEDIA Divisione Foto)
Pope makes surprise appearance in St Peter’s Square
At the end of Mass for the Jubilee of the Sick and
Healthcare Workers, the Pope tells the gathered pilgrims "Have a good
Sunday, and thank you very much”. It is the Pope's first public appearance
since leaving hospital on Sunday 23rd March.
By Jean-Benoît Harel
Pope Francis was not scheduled to make any official
appearances this Sunday, April 6.However, as Mass for the Jubilee of the Sick
and Healthcare Workers was coming to an end, the Pope made a surprise visit to
St Peter’s Square.
Passing through the congregation, the Pope reached the
altar, where Mass had been celebrated by Archbishop Rino Fisichella,
Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelisation.
After the final blessing, Pope Francis addressed the gathered
pilgrims with a few simple words: “Have a good Sunday. Thank you all!!”.
Immediately afterwards, he returned to his Casa Santa Marta
residence.
The Pope was wearing nasal cannulas to facilitate his
breathing, as he was when he left the Gemelli hospital on Sunday March 23.
Pilgrims expressed their enthusiasm and joy with applause
and many shouts of “Viva il Papa” (“Long live the Pope”).
Plenary indulgence
Before greeting and thanking the faithful in St. Peter's
Square, the Holy Father “received the sacrament of reconciliation in St.
Peter's Basilica, recollected himself in prayer and passed through the Holy
Door”, according to the Holy See Press Office.
This means that Pope had taken the various steps required to
obtain a plenary indulgence, in union with the pilgrims who had come to the
Vatican for the Jubilee of the Sick and Healthcare Workers this weekend.
On Friday April 4, the Holy See Press Office reported that
Pope Francis' state of health was improving slightly, and that the Holy Father
was in good spirits.
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