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Pope Francis to lead Palm Sunday services day after leaving hospital Pope Francis to lead Palm Sunday services day after leaving hospital
(about 1 hour later)
Pope Francis waved from a car as he left Rome's Gemelli hospitalPope Francis waved from a car as he left Rome's Gemelli hospital
Pope Francis will lead Mass in St Peter's Square on Sunday as he kicks off the year's Easter services, just a day after leaving hospital.Pope Francis will lead Mass in St Peter's Square on Sunday as he kicks off the year's Easter services, just a day after leaving hospital.
He was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Wednesday with breathing difficulties, and later diagnosed with bronchitis.He was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Wednesday with breathing difficulties, and later diagnosed with bronchitis.
As the 86-year-old left hospital on Saturday, he confirmed he would oversee the Palm Sunday ceremony followed by the Angelus prayer.As the 86-year-old left hospital on Saturday, he confirmed he would oversee the Palm Sunday ceremony followed by the Angelus prayer.
He even joked he was "still alive". He joked that he was "still alive".
"I just felt a malaise, but I wasn't afraid," Italian news agency Ansa quoted him as saying."I just felt a malaise, but I wasn't afraid," Italian news agency Ansa quoted him as saying.
After being discharged, the pontiff was seen smiling and waving from his car, before getting out to speak to a crowd.After being discharged, the pontiff was seen smiling and waving from his car, before getting out to speak to a crowd.
Instead of heading home, his car drove past the Vatican and stopped at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. When he came out after praying, people on the street applauded and shouted: "Long live the Pope!"Instead of heading home, his car drove past the Vatican and stopped at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. When he came out after praying, people on the street applauded and shouted: "Long live the Pope!"
During another stop, he exited his vehicle to give chocolate Easter eggs to police officers in his motorcade, AP news agency reported.During another stop, he exited his vehicle to give chocolate Easter eggs to police officers in his motorcade, AP news agency reported.
Pope Francis, surrounded by security officers, waved to the crowds that had gathered outside his hospital in RomePope Francis, surrounded by security officers, waved to the crowds that had gathered outside his hospital in Rome
The pontiff's admission to hospital came ahead of the busiest week in the Christian calendar.The pontiff's admission to hospital came ahead of the busiest week in the Christian calendar.
The Holy Week includes a busy schedule of events and services which can be physically demanding.The Holy Week includes a busy schedule of events and services which can be physically demanding.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said on Friday the Pope was expected to take part in this weekend's service for Palm Sunday.Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said on Friday the Pope was expected to take part in this weekend's service for Palm Sunday.
"I can confirm that, since he is scheduled to leave the hospital tomorrow [Saturday], Pope Francis is expected to be present in St Peter's Square on Sunday for the Eucharistic celebration of Palm Sunday, the Passion of the Lord," Mr Bruni said in a statement."I can confirm that, since he is scheduled to leave the hospital tomorrow [Saturday], Pope Francis is expected to be present in St Peter's Square on Sunday for the Eucharistic celebration of Palm Sunday, the Passion of the Lord," Mr Bruni said in a statement.
He will also preside over the hugely popular Easter Mass next Sunday, according to details released by the Vatican.He will also preside over the hugely popular Easter Mass next Sunday, according to details released by the Vatican.
The Argentine pontiff, who marked 10 years as head of the Catholic Church earlier this month, has suffered a number of health issues throughout his life, including having part of one of his lungs removed at age 21.The Argentine pontiff, who marked 10 years as head of the Catholic Church earlier this month, has suffered a number of health issues throughout his life, including having part of one of his lungs removed at age 21.
He has also used a wheelchair in recent months because of problems related to his knee.He has also used a wheelchair in recent months because of problems related to his knee.
Wednesday's hospitalisation was his second since 2021, when he underwent colon surgery, also at Gemelli.Wednesday's hospitalisation was his second since 2021, when he underwent colon surgery, also at Gemelli.
But the Pope has remained active, visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan in February. The previous month, he led the funeral of his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI.But the Pope has remained active, visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan in February. The previous month, he led the funeral of his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI.
The pontiff, who has pushed for reforms in the Catholic Church, marked 10 years as its head earlier this month. Although the pontiff, who has pushed for reforms in the Catholic Church, has previously said he would consider stepping down if his health failed him, he recently confirmed he had no plans to quit.
Although he has previously said he would consider stepping down if his health failed him, he recently confirmed he had no plans to quit.
Watch: The Pope comforted grieving parents as he left Gemelli HospitalWatch: The Pope comforted grieving parents as he left Gemelli Hospital
Watch: The Pope comforted grieving parents as he left Gemelli HospitalWatch: The Pope comforted grieving parents as he left Gemelli Hospital
Pope's schedule over EasterPope's schedule over Easter
2 April, Palm Sunday: 09:30 (07:30 GMT) Papal Mass, 12:00 Sunday Blessing2 April, Palm Sunday: 09:30 (07:30 GMT) Papal Mass, 12:00 Sunday Blessing
5 April: 09:00 Papal General Audience5 April: 09:00 Papal General Audience
6 April, Holy Thursday: 09:30 Chrism Mass in St Peter's Basilica6 April, Holy Thursday: 09:30 Chrism Mass in St Peter's Basilica
7 April, Good Friday: 17:00 Passion of the Lord, 21:15 Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum7 April, Good Friday: 17:00 Passion of the Lord, 21:15 Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum
8 April, Holy Saturday: 20:30 Easter Vigil in St Peter's Basilica8 April, Holy Saturday: 20:30 Easter Vigil in St Peter's Basilica
9 April, Easter Sunday: 10:00 Easter Sunday Mass, 12:00 Urbi et Orbi in St Peter's Square9 April, Easter Sunday: 10:00 Easter Sunday Mass, 12:00 Urbi et Orbi in St Peter's Square
10 April, Easter Monday: 12:00, Pasquetta in St Peter's Square10 April, Easter Monday: 12:00, Pasquetta in St Peter's Square
Related TopicsRelated Topics
Vatican CityVatican City
Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Church