Pope Francis on Sunday returned to
the Vatican after 37 days in Rome's Gemelli Hospital being
treated for pneumonia.
The 88-year-old Argentine pontiff will now take over two months
to convalesce after a major health scare that twice led doctors
to fear for his life and which raised speculation that he might
resign, rumours which aides have quashed.
Before returning to Casa Santa Marta, the pope appeared at his
Gemelli room window to greet the faithful for the traditional
Sunday Angelus.He then stopped off at Santa Maria Maggiore to
thank the Blessed Virgin for her intercession in helping him
through his health crisis, laying a bouquet of flowers in the
Roman basilica.
In the Angelus text, the pope thanked his doctors and other
medical staff saying the care shown by doctors reflected the
patience of God.
"During this long period of hospitalization, I have had the
opportunity to experience the patience of the Lord, which I also
see reflected in the tireless care of doctors and healthcare
workers, as well as in the care and hopes of the families of the
sick,"the pontiff said in the text prepared for the Angelus.
"This trusting patience, anchored in the love of God that never
fails, is truly necessary in our lives, especially to face the
most difficult and painful situations," the pope added.
Francis thanked the faithful for their prayers for his health
and said "let us pray also for peace".
"With so much patience and perseverance you are continuing to
pray for me: I thank you so much! I also pray for you", he said.
"And together we implore an end to wars and peace, especially in
the tormented Ukraine, in Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar,
Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo", added the pontiff.
"May the Virgin Mary protect us and continue to accompany us on
the journey towards Easter", he concluded.
Francis expressed "pain" at the resumption of hostilities in
Gaza and welcomed the peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
"I was saddened by the resumption of heavy Israeli bombings on
the Gaza Strip, with many dead and wounded.
"I ask that the weapons be silenced immediately; and that we
have the courage to resume dialogue, so that all the hostages
may be freed and a definitive ceasefire may be reached," he
said.
"In the Strip, the humanitarian situation is once again
very serious and requires the urgent commitment of the warring
parties and the international community," the pontiff added.
He went on: "I am pleased that Armenia and Azerbaijan have
agreed on the final text of the Peace Agreement.
I hope that it
will be signed as soon as possible and thus contribute to
establishing lasting peace in the South Caucasus."
The faithful shouted "Francis, Francis" when they saw him appear
at the hospital window.
Premier Giorgia Meloni issued a statement saying she was happy
that the pope was returning to the Vatican.
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