Pope Francis makes a surprise appearance at St Peter’s Square for the mass of the jubilee | Pope Francis

Pope Francis made a surprise appearance in St Peter’s Square during a special jubilee mass for patients and health workers, marking his first public appearance in the Vatican since his release from the hospital two weeks ago.

The pontiff made a sign of the crowd that got up and applauded while he seemed unopenable, helped in a wheelchair at the front of the altar on the square.

“Good Sunday to everyone,” said Francis, speaking in a microphone, whom he hit to make sure that he was working on a second attempt. “Thank you so much.”

The Pontiff’s voice seemed stronger than when he was addressed to Wellwishers outside the Gemelli hospital on the day of his release on March 23, after receiving a diagnosis of fatal pneumonia during a five -week hospital stay. He has just finished two weeks of at least two months of rest ordered by the doctor while he continues physical, respiratory and speech therapy, as well as treatment for a persistent pulmonary infection.

The Pope has referred to his experience of the disease both in the traditional Sunday blessing and the homily read by the Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the organizer of the Holy Year, which should attract 30 million pilgrims in Rome.

Addressing the patients among the crowd, the pope said in the homily read by Fisichella: “At the moment of my life, I share a lot: the experience of infirmity, to feel weak, according to others for many things, requiring support.

“It is not easy, but it is a school in which we learn every day to love and to let ourselves be loved, without demanding and without rejecting, without regretting, without despair, recognizing God and our brothers for the good that we receive, confident for what is still to come.”

He also urged the faithful not to push the fragiles of their lives “like unfortunately a certain mentality” today. “Let’s not be part of ostracizing the pain of our environment. Let us rather make the opportunity to grow together, to cultivate hope,” he added.

In the traditional Sunday blessing, the Pope made prayers for doctors, nurses and health workers who have not always helped to work in inadequate conditions, sometimes victims of assault. Their mission is not easy and must be supported and respected. »»