'I thank you': Pope Francis presides over Palm Sunday mass, a day after being discharged from hospital
Pope Francis
A day after being discharged from the hospital, Pope Francis addressed thousands of faithful at Palm Sunday mass in St. Peter's Square. The head of the Roman Catholic church wore his customary long white coat while presiding over the mass.
The Pope thanked those who prayed for him during the illness saying,"I thank you for your participation and also for your prayers, which intensified during these past days. Thank you!"
According to Christian customs, Palm Sunday marks Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem in the time leading up to his crucifixion, which Christians observe on Good Friday. It is one of the longest services on the Church's calendar as the Pope managed to get through it, despite his voice sounding hoarse, due to the bronchitis infection.
He read a 15-minute long speech and sermonised about love and compassion to the followers gathered.
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"Brothers and sisters, a love like this, embracing us totally and to the very end, can turn our stony hearts into hearts of flesh, and make them capable of mercy, tenderness, and compassion", saidPope Francis. He explained that Christ, in his abandonment, "stirs us to seek him and to love him and those who are themselves abandoned".
The upcoming Holy Week is expected to be busy for Pope as he partakes in numerous appointments as well as other shindigs.
Notably, the Pope was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital on Wednesday after reportedly experiencing respiratory issues after his weekly public audience.
According to the Vatican, Pope France received antibiotics intravenously for his condition, reported Associated Press. While leaving the hospital, the Pope quipped, "I'm still alive" much to the amusement of reporters.
WATCH | Pope Francis presides over Palm Sunday Mass in Vatican City after hospital stay
Pope on multiple occasions has hinted that he may step down, akin to his predecessor Benedict XVI due to poor health.
“I don’t think I can continue doing trips with the same rhythm as before. I think that at my age and with this limitation I have to preserve (my strength) a bit in order to be able to serve the Church, or decide to step aside," he was quoted as saying last year.
(With inputs from agencies)
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