Pope Francis delighted attendees at a special Jubilee Mass for the sick and health workers in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, making an unexpected appearance just two weeks after his hospital discharge.

Rolled to the altar’s front, the pontiff was greeted with applause as he waved, marking his first public Vatican event since a five-week battle with life-threatening pneumonia ended on March 23.

“Good Sunday to everyone,” Francis said, his voice noticeably stronger than during his frail hospital release address. Tapping the microphone to ensure it worked, he added, “Thank you very much.” Following doctor-ordered rest, he continues therapies for a lingering lung infection.

In a homily read by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Francis reflected on his illness, sharing, “In this moment of my life, I experience infirmity, weakness, and dependence on others. It’s a school where we learn to love and be loved, trusting in God and the good we receive.”

He urged against ostracizing the fragile, calling pain an opportunity to “cultivate hope” amid a Holy Year expecting 30 million pilgrims in Rome.

During the Sunday blessing, he prayed for health workers facing inadequate conditions and aggression, emphasizing their mission’s importance. “Their work must be supported and respected,” he said. The appearance underscored his resilience and commitment to the faithful, despite ongoing recovery, offering a poignant message of solidarity with the suffering.