By Courtney MARES
Vatican City, April 11, 2025/09:38 am
A day after Pope Francis surprised the pilgrims by appearing inside the Saint-Pierre basilica in a wheelchair, draped in a blanket and wearing a white jersey and black pants instead of his usual white quotes and the Zucchetto, the Vatican offered a brief update on recovery in the 88-year-old pontiff.
The Pope, who has been largely absent from public life since his release from the Gemelli Hospital in Rome almost three weeks ago, was seen in the basilica Thursday with nasal tubes offering oxygen, escorted by his personal nurse and his health assistants.
Friday morning, a Vatican spokesperson told journalists that the Pope had simply wanted to take air and then spontaneously decided to extend his time outside his Vatican residence by going to the basilica “as it was” to pray to the tomb of Pope Pius X and before the Saint-Pierre chair.
The Holy See press office confirmed that Francis continues to receive additional oxygen, especially at night, but that it is now able to go for “prolonged periods” without it.
The appearance marked the third unexpected movement by the Pope this week, following the release of photographs from a private audience with King Britain Charles III on Wednesday and a brief greeting to the pilgrims on Saint-Pierre square during the Vatican jubilee on Sunday.
According to the Vatican, the convalescence of the Pope is progressing regularly. Pope Francis undergoes respiratory and engine physiotherapy and uses “therapeutically” oxygen but with a decreasing frequency.
The Pope also started to receive visitors, including senior Vatican officials such as Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, the Sostito of the State Secretariat; Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Secretary of Relations with States; And Mgr Luciano Russo, who oversees diplomatic staff.
However, questions remain throughout the extent of the state of the Pope. Although the tests would have shown gradual improvement, the underlying infection has not been completely resolved. The Vatican described Pope Francis as under “constant” medical supervision at his residence in Casa Santa Marta.
According to officials, the Pope has shown “slight improvements in voice and mobility” this week and continues to concede the daily mass in private.
As Holy Week approaches, uncertainty always surrounds the Pope’s potential participation in the liturgies.
Cardinal Argentin Leonardo Sandri, vice-dean of the college of Cardinals, should chair the Mass of the Palm Sunday as a delegate of Pope Francis.
Vatican officials indicated that a decision concerning the Pope’s role in the Easter Tridum will be taken at the last minute with an update expected at the beginning of next week.
Courtney Mares is a Rome correspondent for the Catholic press agency. A graduate of Harvard University, she reported on News on three continents and received the Gardner Stock Exchange for her work with North Korean refugees. She is the author of “Brussed Carlo Acutis: A Saint in Sneakers” (Ignatius, 2023), https://ignatius.com/carlo-cutis-scap/.
