Pope Francis made another surprise visit to St. Peter's Square at the end of the Palm Sunday Mass, one day after making an unannounced visit to the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.

Rome

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, has died at age 88 from a cerebral stroke and subsequent heart failure, the Vatican said.

Pope Francis Dies

Pope Francis made a surprise visit to St. Peter's Square, engaging with over 20,000 faithful during the beginning of Holy Week celebrations. The Pope, who was brought down a ramp in a wheelchair, greeted the crowd with a brief message at the main altar. This appearance comes as he continues his recovery from a serious bout of double pneumonia, for which he was recently hospitalized.

In recent days, Pope Francis has been gradually increasing his public appearances. He unexpectedly visited St. Peter's Square on a previous Sunday and made an unannounced trip to the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome. Despite his health challenges, the Pope seems eager to demonstrate improvement ahead of the Holy Week events.

While the Vatican has yet to confirm Pope Francis's involvement in the series of upcoming Holy Week events, his recent activities suggest he is on the mend. The commitment to returning to his pastoral duties remains evident as he continues to make steps forward in his recovery. 



Pope Francis makes surprise visit to St. Peter's Square

Pope Francis made a surprise visit to St. Peter's Square on Palm Sunday, greeting over 20,000 faithful to kick off Holy Week celebrations. Many reached out to touch the Pope's hand or garments as he was brought in a wheelchair down a ramp to the main altar, where he issued a brief greeting. He is entering his fourth week of recovery after a life-threatening battle with double pneumonia for which he was hospitalized. He has not spoken more than a few words in public since his release. Clearly eager to show he is feeling better, Pope Francis already made a surprise visit to St. Peter's last Sunday, as well as to the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome on Saturday. The Vatican said it was waiting to advise on what role he may play in upcoming Holy Week events leading up to Easter Sunday.

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Kyiv

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Pope Francis Dies