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- Thomas Mackintosh
- BBC News in London
Pope Francis waves from his car as he leaves Rome’s Gemelli hospital
Pope Francis will lead Mass in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, the day after his discharge from the hospital, initiating the events leading up to Easter.
When the 86-year-old was discharged from hospital on Saturday, he confirmed that he would oversee the Palm Sunday ceremony followed by the Angelus prayers.
“I’m still alive,” he joked.
After being discharged from the hospital, the Pope smiled and waved from the car before stepping outside to address the crowd.
Surrounded by guards, Pope Francis waves to the crowd gathered outside his hospital in Rome
Holy Week includes a busy schedule of physically demanding events and services.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said on Friday that the Pope will attend services on Palm Sunday this weekend.
“I was able to confirm it because I will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow.” [Saturday]Pope Francis is expected to attend St. Peter’s Square on Sunday to celebrate Palm Sunday, the Passion of the Lord, with Eucharist,” Bruni said in a statement.
He added that once the Pope leaves the hospital, he will return to Santa Marta, the Pope’s residence within the Vatican.
The Argentinian pope, who celebrated his tenth year as head of the Catholic Church earlier this month, has suffered from many health problems throughout his life, including having part of his lung removed at the age of 21.
He has also used a wheelchair for several months now due to knee-related problems.
Wednesday’s hospitalization was his second since 2021, when he underwent colon surgery, also in Gemelli.
However, Pope Francis remains active, including visits to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan in February. The previous month, he officiated the funeral of his predecessor, Benedict his XVI.
WATCH: Pope consoles grieving parents as he leaves Gemelli Hospital
The Pope’s Appointments During Easter
2nd April, Palm Sunday: 09:30 (07:30 GMT) Papal Mass, 12:00 Sunday Blessing
April 5th: 09:00 Papal General Audience
April 6th, Holy Thursday: 09:30 Christmas Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica
April 7th, Good Friday: 17:00 Passion of the Lord, 21:15 Colosseum Station of the Cross
April 8th, Holy Saturday: 20:30 Easter Vigil at St. Peter’s Basilica
April 9, Easter Sunday: 10:00 Easter Sunday Mass, 12:00 Urbi et Orbi in St. Peter’s Square
April 10, Easter Monday: 12:00 Pascetta in St. Peter’s Square
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