Recovering pope delights crowd in Vatican square

VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis on Palm Sunday delighted worshippers with an impromptu tour of St Peter's Square, against the advice of his doctors to avoid crowds while recovering from pneumonia. For the second Sunday in a row after the longest hospital stay of his papacy, the 88-year-old pontiff left his Vatican quarters, handing out sweets to children and shaking hands while doing the rounds of the Vatican landmark. While sat in his wheelchair, the Argentine appeared in rather good form, without the nasal cannula used to help him breathe during his convalescence.

Since his release from hospital, the pope has ventured out on several occasions despite his doctors urging him to rest, with his surprise visits appearing on no official Vatican programme. On Thursday, he made an unscheduled visit to Saint Peter's Basilica to inspect renovation work and to visit the tomb of Pius X, before making a trip to pray at his favourite basilica, Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. In his Sunday Angelus prayer, the pontiff thanked the flock for their prayers and issued his customary call for peace in the world. — AFP