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Rome (Agenzia Fides) - After 38 days of hospitalization at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome for bilateral pneumonia, Pope Francis returned to public life, greeting the faithful from the hospital balcony, who applauded him from the forecourt. Pope Francis also made a thumbs-up gesture with his right hand: "Thanks to everyone. I see a woman with yellow flowers, she’s great," were the few words the Pope struggled to utter over the microphone.
Shortly before, the Vatican had distributed Pope Francis' text for the Sunday Angelus prayer, in which the Bishop of Rome commented on the parable in today’s Gospel, which speaks of God's patience, saying: "In this long period of my hospitalization, I have had the opportunity to experience the Lord’s patience, which I also see reflected in the tireless care of the doctors and healthcare workers, as well as in the care and hopes of the relatives of the sick. This trusting patience, anchored in God’s unfailing love, is indeed necessary in our lives, especially when facing the most difficult and painful situations."
On the day Pope Francis returns to public life and to Santa Marta, his words and thoughts turn to those who suffer most in the land of Jesus: "I am saddened by the resumption of heavy Israeli bombing on the Gaza Strip, causing many deaths and injuries. I call for an immediate halt to the weapons; and for the courage to resume dialogue, so that all hostages may be released and a final ceasefire reached. In the Strip, the humanitarian situation is again very serious and requires urgent commitment from the conflicting parties and the international community."
With regard to Asia, the Bishop of Rome expressed his "delight" that Armenia and Azerbaijan have "agreed on the final text of the peace agreement. I hope that it may be signed as soon as possible, and may thus contribute to establishing lasting peace in the South Caucasus," the Pope emphasized.
"With great patience and perseverance, you continue to pray for me: thank you very much!" the Pope concluded. "I pray for you too. And together, let us pray for an end to wars and for peace, especially in tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo."
Before returning to his residence in the Vatican's "Santa Marta", the Bishop of Rome visited the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, where he returned after this period of illness, marked by critical moments in which his life was in danger, to thank and entrust himself to the Virgin Mary "Salus Populi Romani." The Pope presented flowers to Cardinal Makrickas, who was asked to place them before the icon of the Virgin Mary. (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 23/3/2025)
