Pope Francis has made another surprise appearance over the weekend, appearing at the end of Palm Sunday Mass in Saint Peter’s Square.
The Holy Father wished the gathered believers a blessed start to the Holy Week, as the Church enters its most solemn week of the year.
While his voice was still raspy, it was improved from a week earlier when he surprised the faithful by appearing at the end of the Sunday Mass.
Pope Francis was notably not using oxygen, which he had been using during his previous appearances through the week. He remained in his wheelchair however, accompanied by his personal nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti.
Doctors had ordered him to observe a two-month period of rest, and he wasn’t expected to make public appearances during this time.
He has defied this expectation multiple times in the past week however, making appearances at St Peter’s Basilica and St Mary Major's Basilica.
Since being discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on March 23, Francis has been undergoing respiratory, motor and speech physiotherapy as part of his recovery from a complex respiratory infection and double pneumonia.
The Pope’s participation in the Good Friday and Easter liturgies is yet to be confirmed and it’s expected any decision will be last minute.