Pope Francis made a surprise return to St Peter’s Square on Sunday following the Palm Sunday Mass, marking his second unannounced appearance in as many days. The visit came just one day after he paid a quiet visit to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.
On Sunday morning, the pontiff appeared in his wheelchair at the end of the Mass, drawing applause and prayers as he moved across the square to greet and bless the gathered faithful. After completing the circuit, he returned to his residence at Casa Santa Marta.
“When we see the multitude of men and women who hate and violence throw on the way to Calvary, let us remember that God transforms this way into a place of redemption, because he walked it by giving his life for us,” the Pope wrote in his homily for the Palm Sunday Mass, which was read aloud by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri in front of a crowd that filled the square.
“In the face of the atrocious injustice of evil, carrying the cross of Christ is never in vain, indeed, it is the most concrete way of sharing his saving love,” the pontiff added in his address. “The passion of Jesus becomes compassion when we reach out our hand to those who can no longer bear it, when we lift up those who have fallen, when we embrace those who are discouraged,” he explained.
Pope Francis, who is still recovering from a serious illness, had previously spent 38 days at Rome’s Gemelli polyclinic being treated for double pneumonia—an illness his doctors said at times became critical. Despite his condition, he has resumed many of his papal responsibilities, although he has not led public liturgical celebrations.
Over the past week, the Pope has made several unannounced public appearances. On Thursday, he visited St Peter’s Cathedral. On Saturday, he stopped by the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Last Wednesday, he met with King Charles III and Queen Camilla in an unscheduled audience. The previous Sunday marked his return to St Peter’s Square to greet worshippers during the Jubilee Mass.
