Pope Francis appears to be surprised in Santa María La Mayor to pray before Easter
Pope Francis has again left his Vatican residence, where he continues to recover from serious respiratory infection that has maintained 38 days in the hospitalAnd the mayor with surprise of the faithful who were there was presented in the Roman basilica of Santa María.
“In the early afternoon of today, Pope Francis arrived at the Basilica of Santa María La Mayor and, on the eve of Ramos on Sunday and Holy Week, stopped to pray in front of the Virgin icon, Salus Populi Romani,” said the Vatican in a short statement.
The Pope for 88 years He arrived in a wheelchair And with nasal cannulas to receive oxygen. I was dressed in a white papal habit and He wore a floral offerAs can be seen in the images spread from the Holy See.
Pope Francis, who has always had a great link with the Roman Salus Populi, prayed to the Virgin icon. The tribute to the icon of María Salus Populi Romani is a custom of Pope Francis since 14 March 2013, the day after his choice, and remained before and after every apostolic journey.
The last visit to the Liberian basilica Of the over one hundred he did The Pope was on December 14, 2024, when Francisco went to pray for the 47th Apostolic Journey to Ajaccio, Corsica, for the conclusion of the Congress “The Populaire Religiosité in Mediterranée”.
Different surprise apparitions in the last week
It is the pope’s last surprise during his convalescence at Casa Santa Marta, his residence, in which he must remain during Two months as restAs the doctors reported. Although in the last week, Francisco has started several times from there, indicating that his health is improving.
Last Thursday, the Pope appeared with dark trousers, with a shirt and with a poncho In the Basilica of San Pedro, who also made a tour on a wheelchair to observe the restoration of the chair area and pray in the tomb of Pius X.
Even by surprise there were Visit Wednesday of the British King Carlos III and Camilawho traveled in Italy, despite the fact that the public official had been canceled due to Francisco’s health.
Previously, the Pope had also reappeared by surprise Last Sunday at the end of the Jubilee Mass of the sick to give a blessing and greet the faithful.
