Pope Francis leads Palm Sunday Mass a day after leaving hospital
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Pope Francis returned to action on Palm Sunday, leading a public Mass in Vatican City a day after ending his hospitalization for a respiratory infection.
The 86-year-old pope, who spent three days at a Rome hospital, delivered a 15-minute homily at St. Peter’s Square to a crowd of about 60,000 people.
“I thank you for your participation and prayers, that in the last days you intensified. Thanks!” Pope Francis said Sunday, addressing his own recovery.
During his homily, Francis spoke about people dealing with rejection, betrayal and pain, saying, “I, too, need Jesus to caress me and be near to me.”
“Entire peoples are exploited and abandoned; the poor live on our streets and we look the other way; migrants are no longer faces but numbers; prisoners are disowned, people written off as problems,” Francis said.
His voice became hoarse during the homily, but he remained in the square after the service to greet the public.
Francis was hospitalized Wednesday at Gemelli Polyclinic after experiencing breathing issues. He was released late Saturday morning.
Upon leaving the hospital, he gestured with a thumbs up and quipped to media members that he was “still alive, you know.” He also signed a child’s cast and spoke with a couple whose 5-year-old child died the night before.
Sunday’s service started a busy Holy Week for Pope Francis, who is scheduled to lead a Holy Thursday Mass at a juvenile prison before celebrating Easter Sunday Mass at St. Peter’s Square on April 9.
The pope’s return marked his first public appearance since delivering his weekly public audience in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday, shortly before his hospitalization.
His Twitter account remained active during his hospitalization, including several posts referencing his stay.
“I thank everyone for their closeness and prayer,” read a tweet Saturday. “I entrust the sick to Mary, especially the youngest, like those I met in the oncology ward at Gemelli. Let us pray for those who suffer the loss of dear ones and for those who work in hospitals. It takes courage. I admire them.”
With News Wire Services
