Pope Francis makes 1st public appearance since leaving hospital

I pray for them and for their families,

he wrote, before wishing for peace in places affected by war, as well as more aid for Myanmar and Haiti

I was very overwhelmed to see the holy father because I did not think that his state of health would allow him to greet us,

Italian doctor Dora Moncada told AFPTV, admitting to have "cried out of emotion".

We were not expecting him, until for myself I saw it on the screen -- I couldn't believe it,

said Janet Muchengwa, a nurse who came from the United Kingdom

It was beautiful, something completely unexpected because I didn’t think I would see the pope,

said Pasquale Citrolo from Trapani, Sicily

I pray for the doctors, the nurses and the healthcare workers, who are not always helped to work in adequate conditions and who are even, sometimes, victims of attacks,

the pontiff wrote

He's doing better, that's clear, and he wants that to be seen,

a Vatican source told the AFP news agency on condition of anonymity

Let the weapons fall silent and dialogue begin again

he added, calling for the freeing of the hostages held by Hamas since its October 7, 2023 attack that began the war

He's not yet well enough to deliver a message, but well enough to make a gesture... and show up,

the source added

It was a grand gesture — he showed his suffering,

said Massimiliano Porena, a nurse from San Camillo hospital in Rome

What a wonderful surprise — the pope still has health problems but he wanted to give a gift to the faithful,

said Lamberto Rosa, a businessman who volunteers with the Order of Malta at some Vatican events

It must have cost him a lot to go through that,

said, Giuseppe Vanacore, the president of Italy’s national association for kidney transplant patients, who was present in the square on Sunday

Pope Francispope

Happy Sunday to everyone, many thanks,

Francis said, waving his hands

Their mission is not easy and must be supported and respected,

he said

I ask the Lord that this touch of his love might reach all those who suffer and encourage those who are taking care of them,

said the text

For the first time I saw tears in the eyes of some of the people around him. People who, I understood during this period of hospitalization, sincerely love him, like a father. We were all aware that the situation had worsened further and there was a risk that he would not make it,

Alfieri told the Corriere della Sera newspaper

Try everything, we won't give up,

Alfieri recalled Strappetti telling staff at the hospital

We had to choose whether to stop and let him go or force it and try with all the drugs and therapies possible, running the very high risk of damaging other organs. And in the end we took this path,

he reportedly added

Pope Francispope

A good Sunday to all. Thank you very much,

the 88-year-old pope said as he was wheeled through Saint Peter's Square in his wheelchair after a mass dedicated to the sick

We were emerging from the hardest period, while he was eating Pope Francis had a regurgitation and inhaled

Professor Alfieri also revealed how Pope Francis almost choked to death while having a meal and said

The worst was the night of February 28.

Professor Alfieri said