The Pope makes a surprise public reappearance after weeks of convalescence.

BarcelonaPope Francis reappeared in public this Sunday after two weeks of convalescence at his Vatican residence, having been discharged from the hospital after 38 days of respiratory problems. He made a surprise appearance before thousands of faithful in the Vatican's Piazza Sant'Pere, following the celebration of the Jubilee Mass for the Sick.

"Good Sunday, everyone. Thank you very much." This was the only thing the pontiff said in Italian, and with difficulty, as he was wearing nasal cannulas to receive oxygen. In fact, the sound of oxygen could be heard through the microphone as he spoke. He had to be wheeled into the square, where the faithful greeted him enthusiastically. "Long live the Pope!" they shouted to applause.

Francisco, 88, was admitted to the Policlinico Agostino Gemelli Hospital in Rome from February 14 to March 23 for life-threatening bilateral pneumonia. The day he was discharged, was seen briefly: He stepped out onto one of the hospital balconies to greet the hundreds of people who had gathered at the doors of the health center. "Thank you all," the Pope said then, his voice and face visibly tired. Since then, he had remained isolated in his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta and had not made another public appearance until this Sunday, when he made a surprise appearance in Piazza Sant'Pere.

The pontiff was unable to take a bath in the masses because doctors had recommended maximum caution and rest, but he did spend time among a group of faithful. After his brief intervention, a woman read a message on his behalf in which he greeted "with affection" all the participants in the Jubilee Mass for the Sick and thanked them "with all his heart" for their prayers for his health.

Recognition of the health workers

Italian Archbishop Rino Fisichella, who presided at the Eucharist, also read a text that the Pope had prepared, in which he emphasized the need not to exclude the sick or fragile from society. "Dear sick brothers and sisters, at this moment in my life I share much with you: the experience of illness, of feeling weak, of depending on others for many things, of needing support. It is not always easy, but it is a school where we learn every day to love and to allow ourselves to be loved," the text read. He added: "Illness is one of life's most difficult and hard trials." Finally, he urged society "not to relegate those who are fragile."

The Holy See then released a written text that the Pope had prepared for the Sunday Angelus, which he was unable to deliver from the window of the Apostolic Palace due to his frailty. "I pray for doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers, who do not always have adequate working conditions and are sometimes even victims of assault. Their mission is not easy; it must be respected and supported," the text read, in which the Pontiff again referred to his hospitalization and convalescence.

This is the most serious health crisis in Pope Francis' 12-year pontificate and the longest period he has been out of the public eye since his election in 2013. It is currently unknown whether he will be able to participate in the Holy Week celebrations.