Watch: Pope Francis makes surprise appearance in Vatican square

Pope Francis made his first public appearance at the Vatican since his discharge from a hospital two weeks ago, as he sat on a wheelchair and was brought to St Peter's Square during a special Jubilee Mass for the sick on Sunday. The pontiff lifted his hands to wave at the crowd, who stood and applauded, as he was rolled to the front of the altar in the square.

"Good Sunday to everyone. Thank you very much,'' he told the crowd.


The voice of Pope Francis, 88, was fragile but more audible than when he left Rome's Gemelli Hospital on March 23. Also, he had nasal breathing tubes attached for oxygen.

'Felt the caring touch of God'

In a message he prepared and released by the Vatican, the Pope said he felt the "caring touch" of God.

"On the day of the jubilee of the sick and the world of healthcare, I ask the Lord that this touch of his love may reach those who suffer and encourage those who care for them," the message read.


"And I pray for doctors, nurses and health workers, who are not always helped to work in adequate conditions and are sometimes even victims of aggression," it added.

Pope Francis usually offers a weekly noon-time prayer in St Peter's Square on Sundays. However, he could not do this since February 9.

He was admitted to Gemelli on February 14 for a bout of bronchitis which developed into double pneumonia.

The condition is particularly serious for him due to pleurisy he had as a young adult. This led to a part of his one lung removed.