Pope Francis made his first public appearance since being discharged from a Rome hospital two weeks ago, greeting crowds in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday in a surprise visit that lifted the spirits of Catholics there to greet him.

The 88-year-old pontiff, seated in a wheelchair and aided by a nasal cannula for breathing, waved and smiled as Christians cheered following a Mass dedicated to the sick.

Francis was hospitalized for five weeks at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, beginning February 14, battling a life-threatening bout of double pneumonia. His medical team reported that he faced two critical episodes during which his life was at risk. Discharged on March 23, the pope had been expected to convalesce at his Vatican residence, Casa Santa Marta, with doctors prescribing at least two months of rest.

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The Vatican had not announced the pope’s appearance in advance, making his emergence after the Sunday Mass a moment of joy for those gathered.

Pope Francis, who has led the Catholic Church for 12 years, appeared noticeably frail but in better health than during his last public sighting on March 23, when he waved from a hospital balcony before returning to the Vatican. On Sunday, he went to confession in St. Peter’s Basilica before greeting the crowd, a sign of his determination to resume some duties despite his ongoing recovery.

The pontiff’s health crisis, the most severe of his papacy, had sparked global concern among the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. During his hospital stay, he continued to lead the Church remotely, approving bishop appointments and launching a three-year reform process. However, he missed significant events, including the start of the Holy Year, a once-every-25-years celebration expected to draw over 30 million pilgrims to Rome in 2025.

Doctors have said Francis, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, will need time to fully heal.

Dr. Sergio Alfieri, head of the pope’s medical team, in a March 22 briefing noted that Francis would continue respiratory therapy and medication for a fungal lung infection.

Pope Francis has consistently condemned abortion as the head of the Catholic Church.

In March, he conveyed a heartfelt message to participants of a pilgrimage organized by the Italian Movement for Life.

In his address, read by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin during a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, he said that unborn children are like so many other people who need advocates. The Pope identified the unborn child as the epitome of voiceless individuals, representing all who lack a platform to defend their rights.

“The unborn child represents, in the fullest sense, every man and woman who does not count, who has no voice,” he said. “Taking their side means standing in solidarity with all the discarded of the world.”

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Pope Francis called on Christians to foster a “civilization of love,” which frees women “from the pressures that push them not to give birth to their child”.

He said it takes a “gaze of the heart” to recognize unborn children as “one of us.”

The Pope urged society to place unwavering trust in women’s inherent capacity for welcome, generosity, and courage. He highlighted the necessity for both civil and ecclesial communities to provide robust support to women, enabling them to embrace motherhood without fear or hesitation.

Addressing societal pressures, Pope Francis lamented the contemporary focus on possession, action, production, and appearance, which often burdens women and influences their choices. He called for a cultural shift that recognizes and upholds the dignity of every human person, especially the most vulnerable.

He called upon Christians and society at large to advocate fervently for these innocent lives, ensuring they receive the protection and care they inherently deserve.

Pope Francis concluded by encouraging the Italian Movement for Life to persist in their mission, reinforcing a societal framework that liberates women from any coercion to seek abortion. He envisioned a loving society where every life is cherished, and women are empowered to choose life, supported by a community that values and respects their profound role.

LifeNews Note: Photo source: VaticanNews.

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