The pope made his first public appearance in 38 days on March 23 nearing his departure from the Gemelli hospital. His exit on the balcony of the hospital lasted a minute and a half. He looked tired but in good spirits and above all eager to be with the people.
POPE FRANCIS
Thank you all. And I see this lady with the yellow flowers. She's good.
The doctors asked him to rest and avoid meetings with groups so he doesn't become sick again. The pontiff seems to have followed this prescription to the letter.
During the first week he was not even present at the Sunday Angelus. It is the weekly public appointment he has with the faithful and, on other occasions, when he could not go to the window, he wanted at least to be present, even if it was not in St. Peter's Square and had to be without leaving his residence.
November 2023
POPE FRANCIS
Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!
Today, I can't look out the window because I have this problem of inflammation in my
lungs and here to read the reflection will be Monsignor Braida, who knows it well because he is the one who makes them and he always does them so well! Thank you so much for your presence.
In fact there was some expectation that the pope would appear again on Sunday, since he had shown himself to the public at the same event a week earlier. For the moment the Vatican has already avoided indicating that the Holy Week celebrations will be presided over by the pontiff. It has limited itself to confirming the time and place but not who will lead them.
JH
