Pope Francis, who is taking two months’ rest as he recovers from double pneumonia, made an unannounced visit to St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on Thursday dressed in black pants rather than his usual, traditional white papal attire.
In a video verified by Reuters, the 88-year-old pontiff is seen in a wheelchair wearing black pants and with a striped blanket wrapped around his chest.
The pope, waving at visitors to the basilica as attendants pushed his wheelchair, had a small nasal hose to receive supplemental oxygen, the video showed.
“We were visiting St. Peter’s Basilica and saw some guards passing by and making way, so we went to see what it was, and it was the pope,” said Luiz Gil, who took the video. “Few people noticed, it was very quick, but he stopped to talk to a family with a baby.”
Francis is recovering at the Vatican after spending 38 days in hospital for double pneumonia, in the most serious health crisis of his 12-year papacy.
He has only made one previous public appearance since being discharged on March 23, when he briefly greeted crowds during an event in St. Peter’s Square on April 6.
The pope rarely makes public appearances wearing civilian garb rather than his traditional papal vestments, but has occasionally dressed down during some trips abroad.
Pope Francis met privately with King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Wednesday at the Vatican during the royal couple’s four-day state visit to Italy and on the occasion of their 20th wedding anniversary, the Vatican announced.
It was the first known meeting since the pope’s return to the Vatican after five weeks in the hospital for life-threatening double pneumonia. Francis had planned to have an audience with Charles, but the official state visit to the Vatican was postponed due to the pope’s health.
His recent public appearance has done little to allay growing concerns surrounding the Pope’s health. The Pontiff, who has visibly struggled with mobility issues in recent months, appeared notably frail during the address, relying heavily on aides for support and speaking in a markedly subdued tone.
While the Vatican has offered reassurances about his condition, citing the natural toll of age and a demanding schedule, observers could not help but note the contrast between this latest outing and prior engagements. The careful choreography of the event did little to mask the strain he appeared to be under.
Speculation regarding the Pope’s long-term capacity to fulfill his duties has inevitably gained traction, particularly in light of his reduced public schedule and recent hospitalizations. Though the Holy See has historically sought to maintain discretion around papal health matters, the visible signs of fatigue have revived quiet conversations within the Curia and among the faithful about possible contingencies.
For now, the Vatican maintains that the Pope continues to carry out his responsibilities, albeit with necessary adjustments. Nonetheless, the optics of his latest appearance have reinforced a broader sense of unease about the physical demands of the papacy in an era of advanced age and prolonged tenure.