VATICAN: Pope Francis Finally Makes First Public Appearance, Blesses Faithfuls
Pope Francis emerges for the first time since his hospitalization from the balcony of Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, before leaving the facility where he had been since February 14th.
He greeted all there, bestowed his benediction, and gave a ‘thumbs up’ to the approximately three thousand people assembled in the square.
After his discharge from the hospital, Pope Francis made a brief stop at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. There, he entrusted Cardinal Makrickas with a bouquet of flowers to lay before the icon of the Virgin Salus Populi Romani. The Pope then returned to Casa Santa Marta in the… pic.twitter.com/sHHAL7Sit4
— EWTN Vatican (@EWTNVatican) March 23, 2025
The eager faithful applauded his emergence and release from the hospital.
Pope Francis addressed the three thousand faithful assembled in the square in front of the entrance to Rome’s Gemelli hospital, saying, “Thank you, everyone!”
He spoke briefly from a small balcony just above the crowds gathering below.
Pope Francis has made his first public appearance in over a month
— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) March 23, 2025
He blessed the crowd and spoke to them
He now returns to the Vatican
🇻🇦 pic.twitter.com/BfXOMF7Qks
You have continued to pray for me with so much patience and perseverance: thank you so much! I also pray for you. Let us #PrayTogether for #Peace, especially in martyred Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) March 23, 2025
With struggle, he raised his hands from his knees to bless the crowds before waving and smiling at those in the square.
The crowd chanted, “Francesco, Francesco!” “We love you!” and “We’re here for you!”
“Thank you to everyone!” the Pope said with a faint voice.
A greeting was planned, but the Pope preferred to greet them in person rather than through his voice, which was still weakened by the pulmonary medicines he was undergoing.
His gaze shifted from one side of the square to the other, and he observed an Italian lady holding a bunch of yellow flowers to commemorate the event.
The Pope mentioned that he could see her with the yellow flowers and waved to her in appreciation.
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Soon after leaving the balcony following his brief greeting, the crowd hurried to the hospital’s door to catch a sight of the Pope as he drove away in his traditional white Fiat 500L.
He next went to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major and met with Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Coadjutor Archpriest of the Papal Basilica.
Cardinal Makrickas handed him flowers to place in front of the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani as a token of his appreciation for her care and protection.
It does seem that Pope Francis will now require long term oxygen therapy, and appeared frail, cyanosed and incredibly breathless when addressing the crowds outside the hospital without it.
— Catholic Sat (@CatholicSat) March 23, 2025
📸 Marco Ravagli pic.twitter.com/xpspwkUsrr
Prior to his appearance on the hospital balcony, Pope Francis greeted and praised the doctors, staff, and leadership at Policlinico Agostino Gemelli.
VATICAN: Pope Francis Finally Makes First Public Appearance, Blesses Faithfuls
