Pope Francis made a surprise public appearance on Sunday, the first time the leader of the Catholic Church has been seen in public since leaving hospital two week ago.
Francis greeted crowds at the Vatican and seemed to be in good spirits. He was seated in a wheelchair and wearing what appeared to be a nasal canula aiding his breathing.
The 88-year-old pontiff spent five weeks in hospital with pneumonia in February and March. According to his medical team, the pope came close to death during the illness.
Francis appeared to look in better health than when he was last seen in public, which was two weeks shortly before he was released from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. At that time, he struggled to speak and raise his arms, but managed to wave to people and gave a thumbs up from a balcony.
On Sunday, the pope appeared to move his arms around with more ease. His voice was still weak, but stronger than two weeks ago.
The pope’s appearance had not been previously announced.
Crowds of worshippers gathered at Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square on Sunday to celebrate a regular Lenten mass, with no-one there expecting the pope to make an appearance.
When the smiling pontiff was wheeled in, those there cheered wildly.
