Pope Francis will make his first public appearance this Sunday since his hospitalization on February 14. According to the Vatican’s announcement this Saturday, the Pontiff will greet the faithful and give his blessing from a window of the Agostino Gemelli Hospital in Rome.
“Pope Francis intends to greet and impart his blessing from Gemelli Hospital at the conclusion of the Angelus, which, as in recent weeks, will be published in written form,” the Holy See’s press office stated.
On March 6, the Pope sent an audio message in Spanish, in which his voice sounded fatigued, during the nightly Rosary prayer for his recovery held in St. Peter’s Square. Additionally, last Sunday, the Vatican released the first photo of the Pontiff in the hospital.
In recent hours, speculation about his public appearance has grown after technicians were seen on Friday taking measurements at the window of the tenth-floor apartment where the Pope is hospitalized.
This Saturday, Francis expressed his gratitude for the support and prayers of the faithful. “During these days, I have deeply felt the support of your closeness, especially through the prayers with which you have accompanied me,” he said in a message sent from the hospital for the jubilee pilgrimage of the Archdiocese of Naples.
“Although I cannot be physically present, I am filled with joy knowing that we are united in the Lord Jesus, as the Church,” he added in the text read by Cardinal Domenico Battaglia, Archbishop of Naples, during a Mass celebrated in St. Peter’s Square under heavy rain.
The Pope emphasized the importance of unity in diocesan jubilee pilgrimages and concluded with his customary request: “I pray for you. And I ask you to continue praying for me.”
According to Vatican sources, Francis, who has been hospitalized since February 14, continues his pharmacological treatment along with respiratory and motor physiotherapy sessions. His condition remains stable with “some small improvements.” Additionally, the Vatican confirmed that the use of non-invasive mechanical ventilation has been discontinued and that the high-flow oxygen supply during the day is gradually being reduced.
