Pope Francis (86) led the Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square again. The service began the Holy Week. At the end, Easter is the highest Catholic festival. This was reported, among other things, by "Vatican News".

In the morning, the Argentine Pope drove up to the Piazza San Pietro in the popemobile. The 86-year-old was only released from the hospital the day before and was allowed to return to the Vatican. He was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Clinic on Wednesday because of infectious bronchitis. With the help of antibiotics, he apparently soon got the matter under control.

"I thank you for your sympathy and also for your prayers, which you have increased again in the past few days. Thank you very much," he said. Over 50,000 believers then applauded the recovered.

He apparently got through the long celebration of Mass well, even if his voice seemed brittle. He renounced the procession with palm branches in memory of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. That was planned anyway. Due to a knee problem, he has had difficulty walking for about a year.

His knee trouble isn't the Argentine's only problem. He has complained about health problems for a long time. In 2021, the 86-year-old also underwent bowel surgery at the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital in Rome. At the age of only 21, the Pope had to have part of his right lung removed after suffering from severe pneumonia.