Pope Francis Overcomes Doctor’s Advice to Bring Joy to Crowd on Palm Sunday
Pope Francis Overcomes Doctor’s Advice to Bring Joy to Crowd on Palm Sunday
On Palm Sunday, Pope Francis brought joy to worshippers by taking an unexpected tour of St. Peter’s Square, despite doctors’ recommendations for him to avoid crowds while he recovers from pneumonia.
For the second consecutive Sunday following the longest hospitalization of his papacy, the 88-year-old pontiff ventured out from his Vatican residence. He greeted the public by distributing sweets to children and shaking hands with those gathered at the historic site.
Seated in his wheelchair, the Argentine pope appeared to be in good spirits and did not have the nasal cannula, a device used to aid his breathing during recovery.
Since his discharge from the hospital, Pope Francis has made several surprise outings, disregarding medical advice to rest, and these impromptu visits have not been included in the official Vatican schedule.
Earlier this week, he made an unannounced trip to St. Peter’s Basilica to review ongoing renovations and pay respects at the tomb of Pius X. He also visited Santa Maria Maggiore, his favorite basilica, for prayers on Saturday.
Although an earlier meeting with King Charles III was canceled due to his health issues, the pope was able to host the British monarch and Queen Camilla for a private audience on Wednesday.
The Vatican has yet to confirm the extent of the pope’s participation in the upcoming Easter celebrations, which are the most significant in the Christian calendar.
In his Sunday Angelus prayer, the pope expressed gratitude for the prayers offered on his behalf and reiterated his customary message calling for peace in the world.
