First appearance of the Pope after the illness of

The first appearance for the Pope after his health adventure is a fact!

Pope Francis made a surprise public appearance today Sundaythe first time the leader of the Catholic Church appeared publicly after leaving the hospital two weeks ago.

Franciscus greeted a multitude of people in the Vatican and seemed to be in a good mood. He was sitting in a wheelchair and wearing something that seemed to be a nasal tube that helped breathing.

The 88 -year -old Pontiff spent five weeks in the hospital with pneumonia in February and March.

According to his medical team, the Pope came close to death during the illness.

Pope’s message to the faithful

In today’s message to the faithful, which was again distributed in the press in written form, the Argentine Pope is addressed, in particular, to the patients and underlines:

« Along with you, dear and dear sisters you get in, in this phase of my life I share a lot: the experience of illness, the fact that we feel weak, that we depend on others for so many things, that we need support. »

« It is not easy, but it is a school in which we learn to love and let us love us every day without demanding and removing anyone, without despairing and without denying the past. We are grateful to God for the good we receive, delivered to the Lord with faith, for what is to happen to happen, ”he added.

In better condition

Franciscus appeared in better health than when he was last seen publicly, two weeks shortly before he was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. At that time, he had difficulty talking and raising his hands, but managed to greet the world and lift the thumb from a balcony.

On Sunday, the Pope appeared to move his hands more easily. His voice was still weak, but stronger than two weeks ago.

The appearance of the Pope had not been announced previously.

The Pope was admitted to Gemelli Hospital on February 14, initially suffering from severe respiratory infection. It was then diagnosed with polymicalrobal infection, which evolved into pneumonia in both lungs.

He was discharged on March 23 and was expected to recover at Casa Santa Marta, his residence in the Vatican. His doctors said at a press conference at that time that he would need to recover for at least two months to give his body time to heal fully.

The prolonged stay in the hospital marked the biggest health crisis faced by Francis since he was elected a Pope in 2013.

His doctors told reporters that there were « two very critical incidents in which the life of the St. Father was in danger » during the 38 days of hospital.

According to his medical team, the Pope came close to death during the illness.