Devendra Kumar
Pope Francis has resumed his Sunday custom of greeting the public in St Peter’s Square, just two days after being discharged from hospital. The 86-year-old pontiff expressed gratitude to the thousands of people who gathered in the square, thanking them for their “affection, attention and friendship” and the assurance of “the support of prayer” during his hospitalization for abdominal surgery. Francis sounded a bit breathless and hoarse at times, but he gestured frequently with his hands to emphasize his points and deviated from his prepared speech. The crowd of 15,000 people, including Romans, tourists, and pilgrims, seemed particularly enthusiastic, shouting “long live the pope” as he appeared at the window of the Apostolic Palace.
Before launching into his prepared remarks, Francis took the opportunity to mark World Refugee Day, an occasion promoted by the United Nations. He spoke of the tragedy that had unfolded off the coast of Greece, where a smugglers’ boat filled with hundreds of migrants sank in the Mediterranean Sea. The pope expressed his sadness and sorrow for the victims and implored that everything possible be done to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The disaster has left questions as to whether the Greek coastguard could have intervened in time to prevent the vessel capsizing.
The three-hour surgery under general anesthesia had forced Francis to skip his Sunday appearance last week, but he seemed happy to be back to his routine. Despite the challenges of his recent health issues, Francis remains committed to his public duties, using his weekly appearances to connect with the faithful and address important global issues. The pope’s words of gratitude and encouragement resonated with the crowd, who welcomed him back with open arms. As he concluded his address, Francis once again thanked the crowd, thanking them from the heart.