Pope Francis made a poignant appearance at the Jubilee of the Sick, arriving in a wheelchair and wearing nasal cannulas to aid his breathing. Accompanied by a nurse, the Pope’s presence was both humble and powerful.
Vatican officials reported that before meeting the faithful, the Holy Father received the sacrament of reconciliation in St. Peter’s Basilica, spent time in prayer, and made a symbolic passage through the Holy Door. Reflecting on his own health challenges, Pope Francis described the sickbed as a sacred space, inviting all to find holiness even in suffering.
Still recovering from bilateral pneumonia that hospitalized him for nearly 40 days, Pope Francis made a surprise appearance in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday for the Jubilee of the Sick, sharing profound reflections on suffering, care, and the transformative power of illness.
Wearing nasal cannulas that provide supplemental oxygen, Pope Francis arrived in a wheelchair accompanied by a nurse.
Hundreds of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square on April 6, receiving him enthusiastically around 11:45 a.m. local time.
