Pope Leads Palm Sunday Service After Hospital Stay

While recently admitted to the hospital, the leader of the 1.3 billion Catholics throughout the globe made a commitment to attend the holiest week of the Christian calendar.

The 86-year-admission old’s to the hospital on Wednesday due to lung issues raised worries that he would not be in good enough health to participate in a number of rituals during the most significant week in the Christian calendar.

Nonetheless, Francis had committed to attending, and when he drove past the area in his popemobile, which was decorated with more than 35,000 plants and flowers, he waved briefly to some 30,000 people.

He had a solemn expression as he marched behind the group of clergymen, including red-robed cardinals, who were carrying enormous palm fronds and olive branches across St. Peter’s Square.

Before his crucifixion, Jesus arrived in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. His resurrection from the grave is commemorated on Easter Sunday, which falls on April 9 this year.

Francis responded to well-wishers who inquired about his well-being as he left Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Saturday following a three-night stay, “I am still alive!

For the past few years, the leader of the 1.3 billion Catholics in the world has had an increase in health concerns, including knee troubles that have required him to use a wheelchair and walking stick.

On April 2, 2023, at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, Palm Sunday service is celebrated under the direction of Pope Francis. (Image courtesy of Vincenzo Pinto/AFP)
Francis was supposed to stay seated while a cardinal officiates the ritual at the altar for the whole mass.

According to the Vatican, this agreement was made before the pope’s most recent sickness since he can no longer stand for extended periods of time.

During a general audience in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday, Francis felt under the weather. Nevertheless, after receiving antibiotics, his condition became better.

That was his second hospitalisation after his colon surgery at Gemelli in 2021.

His deteriorating health over the past year has caused considerable worry, including rumours that he would decide to resign rather than hold the position for the rest of his life.

On April 2, 2023, at the Vatican, Pope Francis (bottom right) preside over the observance of Palm Sunday service as Cardinals carrying woven palm branches take part in a procession. (Image courtesy of Vincenzo Pinto/AFP)
This month, Francis celebrated his tenth anniversary as leader of the Catholic Church worldwide.

Despite internal opposition, notably from conservatives, he has pushed through significant governance reforms and attempted to create a more open, compassionate Church.

He has stated several times that if his health were to fail, he would consider resigning; however, he stated last month that as of right now, he has no intentions to do so.

Francis spent 10 days in Gemelli during his previous visit in July 2021. He was hospitalised after undergoing surgery for a specific kind of diverticulitis, an infection of pockets that form in the lining of the gut.

The pope said that the diverticulitis had reappeared in an interview from January.

AFP