Rebounding Pope Francis begins Palm Sunday Mass at Vatican
Pope Francis has opened the celebration of Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square, presiding at his first ceremony after a hospital stay for bronchitis
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Pope Francis opened the celebration Mass in St. Peter’s Square on Palm Sunday, presiding at his first ceremony after his hospital stay for bronchitis.
On a cloudy morning, Francis wore a long, ivory-colored coat as he was driven into the square aboard a pope mobile. Ahead of him, scores of prelates and priests and tens of thousands of rank-and-file faithful clutching palm fronds or olive branches filled the square.
Francis, 86, received antibiotics administered intravenously during his three-day stay. He last previous appearance on St. Peter's Square was for his regular Wednesday public audience. He was taken to Rome's Gemelli Policlinic that same day after feeling ill.
Palm Sunday opens a heavy schedule of Holy Week appointments for him.
At the start of the Mass, Francis took his place in a chair before the towering obelisk as a procession of cardinals in bright-red vestments and other faithful moved through the square.
His voice sounded strong as he opened the ceremony, which observed Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem in the time leading up to his crucifixion, which Christians mark on Good Friday.
The Vatican on Saturday said Francis would preside at the Holy Week ceremonies, which culminate with Easter Sunday Mass in the square on April 9.