Pope Francis made his first public appearance on Sunday since being discharged from hospital two weeks ago after treatment for bilateral pneumonia, arriving in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican in a wheelchair to greet crowds.
Francis (88) has not been in public since March 23, when he briefly greeted the crowd, and before that he had been receiving treatment at Rome's Gemelli Hospital for more than five weeks, in the most serious health crisis of his 12-year papacy.
The Pope appeared unannounced on the square shortly before noon at the end of a mass celebration for the Holy Jubilee Year of the Catholic Church.
Arriving at the main altar for the service on a clear, sunny day, Francis waved to the crowd and then addressed them briefly.
"Happy Sunday everyone," the Pope said, speaking in a weak voice as he received oxygen through a small tube under his nose.
"Thank you very much," said Francis.
Photo: EPA/GIUSEPPE LAMI
