NewsFinale
  • Home
  • News
  • Local News
  • Business
  • Health
  • Finance
  • Celeb Lifestyle
  • Crime
  • Entertainment
  • Advertise Here
Gleammour AquaFresh
NewsFinale
  • Home
  • News
  • Local News
  • Business
  • Health
  • Finance
  • Celeb Lifestyle
  • Crime
  • Entertainment
  • Advertise Here
Home Local News Pope Francis, who is recovering, begins Holy Week by personally greeting worshippers in St. Peter’s Square

Pope Francis, who is recovering, begins Holy Week by personally greeting worshippers in St. Peter’s Square

Convalescing Pope Francis opens Holy Week with in-person greeting to faithful in St. Peter's Square
Up next
Fears of another narco-state rise as Latin American country readies for pivotal vote
Fears of another narco-state rise as Latin American country readies for pivotal vote
Published on 13 April 2025
Author
NewsFinale Journal
Share and Follow
FacebookXRedditPinterestWhatsApp


VATICAN CITY – A convalescing Pope Francis greeted the crowd in St. Peter’s Square on Palm Sunday, wishing more than 20,000 faithful a “Good Palm Sunday, a good Holy Week,” in yet another reassuring public sign of his recovery from a life-threatening battle with double pneumonia.

Many in the crowd reached out to touch Francis’ hand or garments as he was brought in a wheelchair down a ramp to the main altar, where he issued his brief greeting into a microphone. Francis was not wearing nasal tubes for supplemental oxygen, as he had during a similar appearance last Sunday.

On his way back to St. Peter’s Basilica from where he had emerged, Francis stopped to bless a rosary, and offered candy to a boy who greeted him.

The 88-year-old Francis is entering his fourth week of convalescence, which is expected to last at least two months.

In the traditional Sunday blessing, the pontiff thanked the faithful for their prayers. “At this time of physical weakness, they help me to feel God’s closeness, compassion and tenderness even more.” For the ninth week, including his five-week hospitalization starting Feb. 14, the blessing was delivered as a text.

The pope offered prayers for those suffering in the conflict in Sudan, which marks its second anniversary on Tuesday, and for Lebanon, where civil war began 50 years ago, as well as for peace in Ukraine, the Middle East, Congo, Myanmar and South Sudan.

In a prepared homily read by a top Vatican cardinal, Francis urged the faithful to carry the cross “of those who suffer around us” to mark the start of the solemn Holy Week.

Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, vice dean of the College of Cardinals, led the celebrations, leading a procession of cardinals around the piazza’s central obelisk carrying an ornately braided palm that recalls Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, when crowds waved palm branches to honor him.

The initial welcome contrasts with the suffering that follows, leading up to his crucifixion, which Christians observe on Good Friday, followed by his resurrection, celebrated on Easter Sunday.

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Share and Follow
FacebookXRedditPinterestWhatsApp
You May Also Like
Man accused of DUI in Brevard County crash that might cost victim his leg, troopers say
  • Local News

Driver charged with DUI in Brevard County collision that could result in victim losing leg, according to authorities

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – A man arrested Tuesday night on Interstate 95…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • July 4, 2025
Nick Hankins Jr. discusses Illinois football commitment
  • Local News

Illinois football commitment explained by Nick Hankins Jr.

BELLEVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — Recruiting the state of Illinois continues to be…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • July 5, 2025
airplane
  • Local News

Wing Flap from Delta Air Lines Flight Discovered in North Carolina Driveway

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – A family in Raleigh, North Carolina was in…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • July 4, 2025
Tropical Storm Chantal forms in the Atlantic
  • Local News

Tropical Storm Chantal forms in the Atlantic

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tropical Depression Three, which formed off Florida’s Atlantic…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • July 5, 2025
Oglethorpe Mall reopens after July 2nd shooting
  • Local News

Oglethorpe Mall reopens following incident on July 2nd

SAVANNAH, Ga. () — The Oglethorpe Mall has reopened for the first…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • July 4, 2025
Mendota man pleads guilty to witness tampering
  • Local News

Marion woman found guilty of committing fraud and identity theft while looking after disabled adult

SMYTH COUNTY, Va. (WJHL) — A Marion woman was convicted on multiple…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • July 4, 2025
Brazilian hiker buried after fatal fall from Indonesian volcano
  • Local News

Death of Brazilian hiker in Indonesian volcano fall leads to burial

Manoel Marins, center, and Estela Marins, left, meet with friends during the…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • July 4, 2025
Champaign Library hosts forum to combat youth violence
  • Local News

Champaign Library to hold discussion on addressing youth violence

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — In Champaign, the community came together Thursday night…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • July 5, 2025
Texas floods kill at least 24; search for missing continues
  • US

Search for missing people ongoing after 24 fatalities in Texas floods

The destructive force of the fast-rising waters just before dawn Friday washed…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • July 5, 2025
Parents desperately seeking answers on missing campers after Texas flood
  • US

Parents desperately seeking answers on missing campers after Texas flood

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Parents are searching for…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • July 5, 2025
Mind-blowing salaries of lifeguards in Democrat-led county beaches
  • US

Impressive wages of lifeguards working at beaches in counties led by the Democratic party

As Donald Trump tries to eliminate inefficiency, dishonesty, and misuse of resources…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • July 5, 2025
Indianapolis street scene with police cars and crime scene tape after a mass shooting.
  • News

Two killed and several injured in Indianapolis mass shooting as violence broke out where ‘hundreds’ of teens gathered

TWO people have died and several are injured after a mass shooting…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • July 5, 2025
NewsFinale Journal
  • Home
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Sitemap
  • DMCA
  • Advertise Here
  • Donate