Pope Francis makes appearance after Palm Sunday mass at the Vatican

Pope Francis wished a "Happy Palm Sunday and Happy Holy Week" to the faithful gathered successful Saint Peter's Square pursuing the decision of a wide presided implicit by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri connected his behalf, according to the Vatican News. 

Francis, who is recovering from treble pneumonia, greeted the crowds from his wheelchair for astir 10 minutes. He stopped occasionally to speech with the faithful, including a radical of delighted nuns.

Unlike past Sunday, erstwhile helium made his archetypal nationalist quality since being discharged from infirmary 3 weeks ago, the pope was not receiving oxygen via a tiny hose nether his nose.

Francis, 88, was discharged from infirmary connected March 23 aft spending 5 weeks being treated for the lung infection, which his doc aboriginal said had astir killed him.

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Pope Francis arrives astatine the extremity of wide connected Palm Sunday successful St. Peter's Square astatine the Vatican connected Sunday, April 13, 2025. (Alessandra Tarantino)

Vatican News estimates 40,000 radical gathered successful the quadrate for the Palm Sunday solemnisation of the Lord's Passion, and said the pope "is limiting his vulnerability to the elements successful bid to proceed betterment from his respiratory conditions."

Sandri work Francis' homily during the mass, which marks the opening of Holy Week. Holy Week commemorates the Lord's passion, decease and resurrection. 

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Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re touches the manus of Pope Francis arsenic helium unexpectedly appears during the Palm Sunday Mass successful Saint Peter's Square astatine the Vatican connected April 13, 2025. (Yara Nardi)

The faithful emerged from St. Peter's Square carrying blessed thenar fronds oregon olive branches to people the occasion.

The Vatican said it was waiting to counsel connected what relation helium whitethorn play successful upcoming Holy Week events starring up to Easter Sunday.

Pope Francis speaks arsenic helium unexpectedly appears during the Palm Sunday Mass successful Saint Peter's Square astatine the Vatican connected April 13, 2025. (Vatican Media/­Handout)

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"Sisters and brothers, I convey you precise overmuch for your prayers," the pontiff said successful a connection distributed by the Holy See Press Office, "At this clip of carnal weakness, they assistance maine to consciousness God's closeness, compassion and tenderness adjacent more. I, too, americium praying for you, and I inquire you to entrust each those who endure to the Lord unneurotic with me."

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.