Pope Francis made his first public appearance on Sunday since being discharged from the hospital two weeks ago following treatment for double pneumonia.
The pontiff arrived at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican in a wheelchair, warmly welcomed by cheering crowds.
The 88-year-old has undergone five weeks of intensive treatment in what has been the most serious health crisis of his 12-year papacy.
In an unannounced move, the pope emerged shortly before noon (1000 GMT) at the conclusion of a Mass celebrating the Catholic Church’s Jubilee year.
Appearing before the main altar under bright sunshine, he waved to the gathered faithful and spoke briefly.
“Happy Sunday to everyone,” the pope said in a frail voice, assisted by a small oxygen hose beneath his nose. “Thank you so much.”
Pope Francis was admitted to the hospital on February 14 for bronchitis, which progressed into double pneumonia—a particularly serious illness for him due to a history of pleurisy in his youth, which led to the removal of part of one lung.