Convalescing Pope Francis opens Holy Week with in-person greeting in St. Peter's Square, AP explains

(13 Apr 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Vatican City - 13 April 2025
1. Various of Pope Francis being wheeled
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Colleen Barry, The Associated Press:
++PARTIALLY OVERLAID++
"Pope Francis appeared here in St. Peter’s Square to the 20,000 faithful gathered for Palm Sunday to mark the start of Holy Week. He was rolled in front of the altar in his wheelchair as he appeared last week before a similar crowd. He'd briefly spoken into a microphone, wishing everyone a good Palm Sunday and a good Holy Week."
3. SOUNDBITE (Italian) Pope Francis:
"Good Palm Sunday, a good Holy Week.”
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Colleen Barry, The Associated Press:
++PARTIALLY OVERLAID++
"It was a reassuring sign that his convalescence is going well. He was not using supplemental oxygen as he did last week. It is one of many surprise appearances that he has made this week. The Vatican is still not saying what role he might play in the Holy Week celebrations as we continue the holiest week in the Catholic calendar, leading up to Easter."
5. Pope Francis being wheeled and greeting cardinals
6. Top shot of Pope Francis being wheeled and leaving
STORYLINE:
A convalescing Pope Francis greeted the crowd in St. Peter’s Square on Palm Sunday, wishing more than 20,000 faithful a “Good Palm Sunday, a good Holy Week," in yet another reassuring public sign of his recovery from a life-threatening battle with double pneumonia.

Many in the crowd reached out to touch Francis’ hand or garments as he was brought in a wheelchair down a ramp to the main altar, where he issued his brief greeting into a microphone.

The 88-year-old pope was not wearing nasal tubes for supplemental oxygen, as he had during a similar appearance last Sunday.

On his way back to St. Peter’s Basilica from where he had emerged, Francis stopped to bless a rosary, and offered candy to a boy who greeted him.

The 88-year-old Francis is entering his fourth week of convalescence during which doctors have advised him to avoid crowds.

While Francis is clearly eager to show he is feeling better, he has not spoken more than a few words in public as he recovers from a severe respiratory crisis.

The Vatican said it was waiting to advise on what role he may play in upcoming Holy Week events leading up to Easter Sunday.

In the traditional Sunday blessing, the pontiff thanked the faithful for their prayers.

“At this time of physical weakness, they help me to feel God’s closeness, compassion and tenderness even more.”

For the ninth week, including his five-week hospitalization starting Feb. 14, the blessing was delivered as a text.

The pope offered prayers for those suffering in the conflict in Sudan, which marks its second anniversary on Tuesday, and for Lebanon, where civil war began 50 years ago, as well as for peace in Ukraine, the Middle East, Congo, Myanmar and South Sudan.

AP video by Paolo Lucariello
Production by Francesco Sportelli

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