Pope makes surprise appearance at St. Peter’s Square, 2 weeks after leaving hospital

VATICAN CITY AP Pope Francis made a surprise entrance to St Peter s Square during a special Jubilee Mass for the sick and wellness workers on Sunday marking his first population appearance at the Vatican since his release from the hospital two weeks ago The pontiff waved at the crowd that stood and applauded as he was rolled unannounced to the front of the altar in the square Good Sunday to everyone Francis reported speaking into a microphone which he tapped to make sure it was working on a second attempt Thank you very much The pontiff s voice sounded stronger than when he addressed well-wishers outside of Gemelli hospital on the day of his release March after battling life-threatening pneumonia during a five-week hospital stay He has just completed two weeks of at least two months of doctor-ordered rest as he continues physical respiratory and speech therapy as well as healing for a lingering lung infection The pope referred to his experience with illness in both the traditional Sunday blessing and the homily read by Archbishop Rino Fisichella organizer of the Holy Year that is expected to bring chosen million pilgrims to Rome Addressing the sick among the crowd the pope declared in the homily read by Fisichella that In this moment of my life I share a lot the experience of infirmity feeling weak depending on the others for a multitude of things needing help It is not easy but it is a school in which we learn every day to love and to let ourselves be loved without demanding and without rejecting without regretting without despairing grateful to God and to our brothers for the good that we receieve trusting for what is still to come He also urged the faithful not to push the fragile from their lives as unfortunately a certain mentality does at present Let s not ostracize pain from our surroundings Let s instead make it an opportunity to grow together to cultivate hope In the traditional Sunday blessing he offered prayers for doctors nurses and robustness care workers who are not dependably helped to work in inadequate conditions at times the casualties of aggression Their mission is not easy and must be supported and respected Barry released from Milan Source