Despite recovering from pneumonia and warnings from his doctors to avoid public gatherings, the 88-year-old pontiff handed out sweets to children and shook hands with well-wishers
By Titilope Adako
Pope Francis on Sunday defied medical advice as he made a surprise appearance at St Peter’s Square during the Palm Sunday Mass, delighting Catholic faithful with a wheelchair tour and personal greetings.
Despite recovering from pneumonia and warnings from his doctors to avoid public gatherings, the 88-year-old pontiff handed out sweets to children and shook hands with well-wishers.
He appeared in good spirits and was seen without the nasal cannula he had used for breathing support since his recent hospitalisation — his longest since becoming pope.
Francis has ignored medical restrictions in recent days, making unannounced visits within Rome.
On Thursday, he inspected ongoing renovations at St Peter’s Basilica and visited the tomb of Pope Pius X. He also went to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica on Saturday to pray.
Last Wednesday, he privately received King Charles III and Queen Camilla, after an earlier meeting was postponed due to his ill health.
The Vatican is yet to confirm the extent of his participation in next week’s Easter celebrations.
In his Angelus message on Sunday, the pope expressed gratitude for prayers and repeated his global call for peace.
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