Pope Francis made his first public appearance since being hospitalized for pneumonia, greeting supporters from a hospital balcony in Rome on Sunday, March 23, 2025.
The 88-year-old pope, who had been admitted to the Gemelli hospital on February 14, appeared weak but smiled and waved gently to the crowd gathered below.
“Thank you, everyone,” the pope said into a microphone, sitting in a wheelchair and giving a thumbs-up sign to the faithful.
His public appearance was a sign of his recovery after more than five weeks of hospitalization.
Earlier reports from the Vatican had suggested that Pope Francis was still in need of hospital care, but his appearance provided a hopeful update on his condition.
The pope’s message, while brief, resonated with the many who had gathered to show their support during his recovery.
