Pope Francis To Make First Public Appearance In Weeks On March 23

For more than a month, the world has prayed for the healing of Pope Francis. Doctors hospitalized the Holy Father in mid-February and diagnosed him with pneumonia. It has been a difficult battle, and the Vatican has remained guarded about the Pope’s prognosis. He spent some time on a ventilator and has not appeared publicly in weeks. The Vatican announced on March 21 that the Holy Father was ready to greet the people of Rome.

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Per a release, “The Pope is planning to greet the crowd outside Rome’s Gemelli hospital and give his blessing on Sunday, March 23, shortly after 12pm. The statement said the text of the Angelus will be shared as it has been the last few weeks.”

Although he plans to appear from his postal room, the Vatican clarified medical staff does not plan to release Pope Francis from the hospital on March 2.

“While the doctors have not yet given any indication as to when the Pope would be discharged from the hospital, this greeting on Sunday would be the first appearance since he was hospitalized on February 14. This news comes after the most recent health update shared Pope Francis’ continued improvements both in his respiratory and motor functions,” the release explains.

Followers shared their excitement about an opportunity to see the Pope again.

One wrote, “How wonderful..for the world to see. Thank you.”

Another shared, “We continue to keep His Holiness Pope Francis in our prayers. Our Lady of Knots, Pray for us!”

This person prayed for the Holy Father and his healing. “So be it.I sincerely congratulate you, Francis, the Pope, on this steady recovery from the life-threatening double pneumonia. The world prayed for you. The extremely faithful God, in His mercy, has granted you another leave to life. Use it to proclaim the gospel, drawing more to Christ.”

This story’s featured image is by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images.