Pope Francis Makes Surprise Appearance in St. Peter's Square for Jubilee of the Sick
Pope Francis, recovering from pneumonia, greets faithful while emphasizing the importance of healthcare workers during a special mass.
On April 6, 2025, Pope Francis made a surprise appearance in St. Peter's Square at 11:38 AM, during a mass held for the Jubilee of the Sick.
The pontiff, utilizing a wheelchair and wearing nasal cannulas for oxygen support, was pushed through a crowd of approximately 20,000 attendees.
Upon reaching the altar, he raised his arm to make the sign of the cross as he delivered the final blessing, expressing, "Buona domenica a tutti, grazie tante!" which translates to "Good Sunday to all, thank you very much!".
Despite his fragile voice, the Pope smiled and took a moment to greet several people before returning to the Vatican's Santa Marta residence.
The Holy See announced that the Pope had joined the pilgrimage of the sick and healthcare workers and had participated in the Sacrament of Reconciliation in St. Peter's Basilica prior to addressing the faithful in the square.
He also passed through the Holy Door, akin to other sick pilgrims arriving in Rome for this special occasion.
Currently in a recovery phase following a 38-day hospitalization due to bilateral pneumonia, Pope Francis has been living in relative isolation due to low immune defenses.
However, he wished to be present for the day devoted to the sick, stating, "With you, dear brothers and sisters, I share much in this moment of my life: the experience of illness, of feeling weak, of depending on others in many ways, of needing support…".
This message was conveyed during the homily read by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, who noted the Pope's proximity to the congregation, relating that he participated in the mass via television from his room.
The unexpected appearance of Pope Francis prompted a lengthy applause from the gathering.
At noon, the text of the Angelus was released, wherein the Pope emphasized the necessity of investment in healthcare and respect for those who work within the sector.
He prayed for doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers, who he noted do not always receive adequate support and sometimes fall victim to aggression.
He called for necessary resources to be invested in care and research to ensure healthcare systems are inclusive and attentive to the most vulnerable and impoverished members of society.
In his homily, Pope Francis referenced scripture, particularly Isaiah's words of hope to the exiled people of Israel and the story of the adulteress saved by Jesus in the Gospel of John.
He affirmed that while illness is one of life's most difficult challenges, it offers a profound reminder of human fragility and highlights the need for divine consolation and support.
He underscored the presence of God in moments of vulnerability, stating, "God does not leave us alone, and if we abandon ourselves to Him, we can experience the comfort of His presence."
Addressing healthcare providers and others enduring illness, Pope Francis acknowledged the challenges they face and termed their experiences as opportunities for learning to love and be loved, sharing gratitude for the support they receive.
He referenced the teachings of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, on the human capacity to confront suffering and the importance of a compassionate society that embraces those who are suffering.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Pope's Secretary of State, reaffirmed that even during his hospital stay, the Pope remained engaged with the governance of the Church and stayed updated on global developments.
The Pope specifically expressed gratitude to the women inmates of the Rebibbia women's prison for their correspondence and called for prayers for peace amid ongoing conflicts.
Pope Francis noted the situation in Ukraine and Gaza, where civilians, including children, have suffered severe casualties, and called for an end to hostilities, the release of hostages, and humanitarian support for affected populations.
Pope Francis was hospitalized at Gemelli Hospital from February 14 to March 23 and is currently undergoing a physiotherapy regimen, with improving conditions reported.
The most recent bulletins from Santa Marta indicated progress in both his voice and mobility as part of his recovery process.
The Pope drew attention to his nearly six weeks in the hospital, during which he faced multiple life-threatening moments, remarking that he continues to sense the "finger of God" and His compassionate touch.
On this Jubilee day for the sick, he prayed for God's love to reach all who suffer and encourage those who care for them.
The pontiff, utilizing a wheelchair and wearing nasal cannulas for oxygen support, was pushed through a crowd of approximately 20,000 attendees.
Upon reaching the altar, he raised his arm to make the sign of the cross as he delivered the final blessing, expressing, "Buona domenica a tutti, grazie tante!" which translates to "Good Sunday to all, thank you very much!".
Despite his fragile voice, the Pope smiled and took a moment to greet several people before returning to the Vatican's Santa Marta residence.
The Holy See announced that the Pope had joined the pilgrimage of the sick and healthcare workers and had participated in the Sacrament of Reconciliation in St. Peter's Basilica prior to addressing the faithful in the square.
He also passed through the Holy Door, akin to other sick pilgrims arriving in Rome for this special occasion.
Currently in a recovery phase following a 38-day hospitalization due to bilateral pneumonia, Pope Francis has been living in relative isolation due to low immune defenses.
However, he wished to be present for the day devoted to the sick, stating, "With you, dear brothers and sisters, I share much in this moment of my life: the experience of illness, of feeling weak, of depending on others in many ways, of needing support…".
This message was conveyed during the homily read by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, who noted the Pope's proximity to the congregation, relating that he participated in the mass via television from his room.
The unexpected appearance of Pope Francis prompted a lengthy applause from the gathering.
At noon, the text of the Angelus was released, wherein the Pope emphasized the necessity of investment in healthcare and respect for those who work within the sector.
He prayed for doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers, who he noted do not always receive adequate support and sometimes fall victim to aggression.
He called for necessary resources to be invested in care and research to ensure healthcare systems are inclusive and attentive to the most vulnerable and impoverished members of society.
In his homily, Pope Francis referenced scripture, particularly Isaiah's words of hope to the exiled people of Israel and the story of the adulteress saved by Jesus in the Gospel of John.
He affirmed that while illness is one of life's most difficult challenges, it offers a profound reminder of human fragility and highlights the need for divine consolation and support.
He underscored the presence of God in moments of vulnerability, stating, "God does not leave us alone, and if we abandon ourselves to Him, we can experience the comfort of His presence."
Addressing healthcare providers and others enduring illness, Pope Francis acknowledged the challenges they face and termed their experiences as opportunities for learning to love and be loved, sharing gratitude for the support they receive.
He referenced the teachings of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, on the human capacity to confront suffering and the importance of a compassionate society that embraces those who are suffering.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Pope's Secretary of State, reaffirmed that even during his hospital stay, the Pope remained engaged with the governance of the Church and stayed updated on global developments.
The Pope specifically expressed gratitude to the women inmates of the Rebibbia women's prison for their correspondence and called for prayers for peace amid ongoing conflicts.
Pope Francis noted the situation in Ukraine and Gaza, where civilians, including children, have suffered severe casualties, and called for an end to hostilities, the release of hostages, and humanitarian support for affected populations.
Pope Francis was hospitalized at Gemelli Hospital from February 14 to March 23 and is currently undergoing a physiotherapy regimen, with improving conditions reported.
The most recent bulletins from Santa Marta indicated progress in both his voice and mobility as part of his recovery process.
The Pope drew attention to his nearly six weeks in the hospital, during which he faced multiple life-threatening moments, remarking that he continues to sense the "finger of God" and His compassionate touch.
On this Jubilee day for the sick, he prayed for God's love to reach all who suffer and encourage those who care for them.
Translation:
Translated by AI
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
