Overview

• Pope Francis, appearing in a wheelchair with an oxygen tube, made a surprise public appearance at St. Peter's Square two weeks after being discharged from a five-week hospital stay.
• The pontiff briefly addressed the crowd, thanking them for their prayers and offering support for healthcare workers, whom he described as facing challenging conditions.
• His hospitalization, caused by double pneumonia and complicated by pre-existing lung issues, brought him close to death on two occasions, according to his medical team.
• Doctors have prescribed a two-month recovery period, raising uncertainty about his participation in upcoming events like Easter celebrations.
• The pope used the occasion to share reflections on illness, dependence, and solidarity, emphasizing the importance of love and care for the vulnerable.