Pope Francis made a public appearance at St. Peter라이브 바카라 Square in the Vatican to wish thousands of people a “Happy Easter,” following a lengthy illness, BBC reported.
Tens of thousands of Catholics had gathered in Rome for Easter Mass during this special jubilee year, which takes place every 25 years and sees millions of pilgrims descend on the city.
Pope Francis made a public appearance at St. Peter라이브 바카라 Square in the Vatican to wish thousands of people a “Happy Easter,” following a lengthy illness, BBC reported.
The 88-year-old pontiff, seated in a wheelchair, waved to the cheering crowd from the balcony of St. Peter라이브 바카라 Basilica, saying: “Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter.”
Although his traditional Easter address was delivered by a clergy member, the Pope remained present throughout, appearing frail but alert.
Francis also stressed the importance of using Easter to “revive our trust in others, including those who are different than ourselves, or who come from distant lands, bringing unfamiliar customs, ways of life and ideas! For all of us are children of God!
He went on to remind people of the suffering in Gaza, Israel, Ukraine, Sudan, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, among many other places.
He added: “I appeal to all those in positions of political responsibility in our world not to yield to the logic of fear which only leads to isolation from others, but rather to use the resources available to help the needy, to fight hunger and to encourage initiatives that promote development. These are the ‘weapons’ of peace: weapons that build the future, instead of sowing seeds of death!”
After the blessing, he was driven around the square, pausing several times to bless babies brought forward by the crowd.
His Easter appearance was highly anticipated after he was hospitalized last month for five weeks due to an infection that developed into double pneumonia.
In the message read on his behalf, the Pope emphasized the importance of fundamental freedoms: “There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and respect for the views of others.”
Prior to Sunday's celebrations, the Pope had been seen out twice this week.
Tens of thousands of Catholics had gathered in Rome for Easter Mass during this special jubilee year, which takes place every 25 years and sees millions of pilgrims descend on the city.
The jubilee year kicked off with the Pope opening the usually bricked-up Holy Door at St Peter's Basilica on 24 December.
For the first time since becoming pope in 2013, he had missed the majority of Holy Week events, including Saturday's Easter vigil at St Peter's Basilica, where he delegated his duties to cardinals.
But, during a brief appearance inside the basilica on that day, he prayed and gave sweets to children.
When he was discharged from hospital in March, his doctors had said he would need at least two months of rest at his residence.
The pontiff had presented "two very critical episodes" where his "life was in danger" while in hospital, according to one of the doctors who took care of him.
Dr Sergio Alfieri added that the Pope was never intubated and always remained alert and oriented in hospital.
Pope Francis, who is from Argentina, has suffered a number of health issues throughout his life, including having part of one of his lungs removed at age 21, making him more prone to infections.