LONDON -- Pope Francis on Sunday made his first public appearance since being discharged from hospital two weeks ago. Francis, 88, entered St. Peter's Square at the Vatican in a wheelchair to briefly greet crowds that were gathered to mark the Jubilee of the Sick and the World of Healthcare. The pope was wearing oxygen nasal cannulas.

Pope Francis made a surprise public appearance on Sunday, the first time the leader of the Catholic Church has been seen in public since leaving hospital two week ago.

After being hospitalized for life-threatening double pneumonia, the 88-year-old pontiff thanked the faithful in St. Peter's Square.

Pope Francis told the crowd he related to the struggles of illness and dependence as he continues his own recovery.

Pope Francis made his first public appearance at the Vatican since he was discharged from the hospital on March 23 after a bout with pneumonia. On April 6, the pope surprised onlookers when he made his way through St.

The pope was rolled into St. Peter’s Square in a wheelchair during a special Jubilee Mass for the sick in his first public appearance at the Vatican since his release from the hospital.