The Pope reappears to preside over the Mass on Palm Sunday after his hospital discharge

Pope Francis reappeared this sunday in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican to preside over the Palm Sunday mass, one day after being discharged from hospital for bronchitis that kept him hospitalized since last Wednesday.

Francis was taken seated in a convertible vehicle, the ‘popemobile’, to the center of the square, at the foot of the obelisk, to bless the branches of the faithful and members of the roman curia who had processioned through the place a few moments before.

The Pope, in a white coat, got out of the car under his own power and walked a few meters to the place arranged for the blessing, aided by the cane he frequently uses due to his knee problems.

[El Papa Francisco recibe el alta hospitalaria tras pasar tres noches ingresado por una bronquitis]

This is his first public reappearance since he was admitted to the hospital last Wednesday Agostino Gemelli from Rome due to bronchitis, after presiding over the general audience in the Vatican square, and was discharged three days later, on Saturday.

Upon leaving the hospital, he made some statements to the media that were waiting for him and greeted some of the faithful but, after going to pray in the Basilica of Santa María La Mayor, he returned to his residence in the Vatican, the Casa Santa Marta, reports efe.

[El Papa “mejora notablemente” de la bronquitis infecciosa y podría tener el alta en unos días]

Francisco, 86, has wanted at all times to preside over the rites of Holy Week, which open officially today with Palm Sundaywhich commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.

However, the Argentine pope will not officiate the Eucharist, but will preside over it. At the altar will be his compatriot, Cardinal Leonardo Sandri.

Pope Bergoglio, however, will deliver a homily. The celebration started as always with the procession through the Plaza de San Pedro and around the central obelisk of hundreds of people, faithful, men and women religious and members of the Roman Curia, carrying the bouquets.