This marked Pope Francis’ first public appearance since February 14, following his hospitalization for double pneumonia and other complications.
Pope Francis made a brief yet emotional appearance on the Gemelli hospital balcony before his discharge on Sunday, March 23. He was smiling and waving to well-wishers who had gathered to see him. Photos and videos of him circulated online, prompting a flurry of reactions from concerned fans.
A wheelchair carried Pope Francis to the balcony, and under his white cassock, bandages were visible on both arms. Despite his frail condition, the 88-year-old pontiff greeted the crowd, his voice noticeably weak.
Among the well-wishers was 79-year-old Carmela Vittoria Mancuso, who had visited the hospital daily during the pope’s treatment. Holding a bouquet of yellow flowers, she was visibly moved when Pope Francis acknowledged her, later sharing that her heart “was bursting” at the moment.
After greeting the crowd from the balcony, the pontiff left Rome’s Gemelli hospital around noon on Sunday. His car, escorted by police, made a brief stop at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, where he left flowers as a gesture of devotion.
Pope Francis had been admitted for five weeks whilst battling double pneumonia and other complications. This is the most serious health crisis he has faced in his 12-year papacy.
His first public appearance since February 14 sparked a wave of online reactions as fans commented on his changed appearance. Some struggled to recognize him, with one asking, “It is him?” and another person remarking, “He looks very different.”
Other people insisted, “That is not the same person” with more concurring, “That’s not him.” His well-being also sparked worry, with one person commenting, “Looks exhausted,” while another netizen sympathized, “Poor man. He’s so frail.” Many individuals simply wished him well, with one pleading, “Omg…let him rest!”
Though the pope is back at the Vatican, his doctors have advised that his recovery will take time. They have recommended two months of rest and cautioned against large or strenuous gatherings. With his schedule uncertain, it remains to be seen how much activity Pope Francis will resume in the coming months.
While he was breathing on his own during his recent appearance, he used a small oxygen hose under his nose while traveling in his car. Furthermore, his health condition had been so serious that he had been receiving oxygen to help him breathe throughout his hospital stay.
During his hospital stay, Pope Francis was only seen publicly once in a Vatican-released photo showing him praying in a hospital chapel. As his health declined, the Vatican faced mounting questions about what would happen next as it came to light that the pontiff quietly signed a resignation letter to be enacted if he ever became incapacitated.
Pope Francis signed the resignation letter in 2013, leading to lots of questions. What does the letter mean? How severe was the Pope’s condition? What would happen if he stepped down or passed away? And how was the Vatican preparing for such a historic moment?
Pope Francis’ resignation letter was intended to be enacted in the event of incapacitation, a move with little precedent in modern papal history.
While his recent hospitalization and frail condition raised speculation about whether this letter might soon take effect, reports indicated that the Pope had accepted that “the end of his earthly life is very close,” making a formal resignation seem unnecessary.
The Vatican did not confirm any plans to invoke the resignation letter, but if it had happened, it would have set in motion a highly structured process.
According to The Australian’s chief leader writer, Tess Livingstone, the first steps following a papal resignation or death would include the destruction of the Pope’s ring and seal of office to prevent misuse.
Nine days of mourning, known as novendiales, would follow, accompanied by masses for the repose of his soul.
Pope Francis, however, has opted to be buried not in the Vatican but in the Basilica of St. Mary Major, a historic and revered church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, located just outside the Vatican’s walls.
In a December 12, 2023 interview with Mexican news outlet N+, the Pope, in good spirits, openly discussed his funeral plans. He revealed that he had already spoken with Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli, his master of liturgical ceremonies, about the arrangements.
“We simplified them quite a bit,” he said before jokingly adding, “I will premiere the new ritual.” This decision marked a significant departure from tradition.
Historically, popes have been buried in the Vatican Grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. The last pontiff to break this custom was Pope Leo XIII, who died in 1903 and was interred at the Basilica of St. John Lateran.
