After his treatment in the hospital, Pope Francis celebrated the first public service. He presided over the Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square in Rome. The 86-year-old was driven onto the square in the popemobile. The pontiff did without the traditional procession at the beginning of the celebration, in which palm branches are brought to the square to commemorate Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. Francis was released on Saturday from a clinic in Rome, where doctors had treated him for almost three days for bronchitis. The hospital stay had led to concerns in the Catholic Church about his health.

Francis thanked the faithful in Rome and around the world for their prayers and well wishes during his time in hospital. "I thank you for your sympathy and also for your prayers, which you have intensified again in the past few days. Thank you very much," said the Pope. The thousands of believers present then applauded.

He was presiding over the Palm Sunday service just 24 hours after his release. In this, the Catholic believers commemorate the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The Argentinian had to do without the traditional procession at the beginning of the celebration with palm branches - this was planned anyway due to his knee problem, which has made it difficult for him to walk for a year. Francis was driven to the square in the popemobile.

He wants to take part in all the important masses during Holy Week and then at Easter - the most important festival in the Catholic church year. According to the Holy See, the pontiff will also preside over the services. The preparation of the gifts at the altar, where you have to stand, is done by others. On Palm Sunday, for example, this was Cardinal Leonardo Sandri; Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, is scheduled for Easter Sunday.