Pope Francis To Make First Public Appearance Since He Was Hospitalised, Vatican Releases Date, Time

• The Vatican has issued a fresh statement on Pope Francis, stating that he would be making an appearance
• Pope Francis, 88, has been hospitalised with severe bronchitis, raising concerns about his ability to continue leading the Catholic Church and prompting discussions about succession
• The statement shared the time and location for the Pope’s public appearance on Sunday, March 23, 2025

Pope Francis is set to make a first public appearance since he was hospitalised over battles with respiratory issues.

The 88-year-old pontiff, who has battled respiratory issues for years, was recently hospitalised with severe bronchitis, forcing him to cancel several public engagements.

The Pope was hospitalised on February 14, 2025, and after five weeks, the Vatican announced that he was set to make a public appearance.

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Details about Pope's first public appearance

In an announcement by @vaticannews on Instagram, the Pope would make a public appearance on Sunday, March 23, 2025.

He would be making the appearance at his window in Rome's Gemelli hospital, where he is being hospitalised.

Pope Francis is expected to appear shortly after noon Rome time, for a public greeting and to impart his blessing.

The statement read:

"Pope Francis intends to appear at his window tomorrow to greet the faithful and impart his blessing. He will appear just after 12pm Rome time.The text of the Pope’s Angelus reflection will be distributed as on previous Sundays."

Reactions trail Pope's expected first public appearance

Many who came across the announcement on Instagram expressed their joy as they hoped to see him, while some asked about live streaming.

Legit.ng compiled some of the reactions.

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@leanne.titus said:

"This is amazing.. Will this be live streaming anywhere?"

@sianmogs1 said:

"Thank you lord ,great recovery to our pope Francis."

@blushingdodo said:

"Wow ..thats great. Praise be to God."

@soph.ia2265 said:

"Amaizing can't wait to watch . Thanks be to God ."

Pope's first public appearance would be coming a week after his first photo was released since his hospitalisation.

The Vatican had shared a photo of the Pope in hospital, where he was celebrating mass, sparking worldwide jubilation and hope for his recovery.

He had also opened up on what he was going through since, during his traditional Sunday message from his sick bed in the hospital.

He was reported as saying:

"I am sharing these thoughts with you while I am facing a period of trial, and I join with so many brothers and sisters who are sick: fragile, at this time, like me."

Vatican releases doctors' update on Pope's health

Legit.ng reported earlier that the Vatican issued a fresh statement on the health of Pope Francis, with an update from the doctors attending to him, hinting at the state of the ailing pope, as of Wednesday morning, March 12, 2025.

According to the statement, the clinical situation of the Pope remained stable with doctors confirming slight improvements.

This came days after the Pope experienced two setbacks in the hospital earlier in March 2025.

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, copy editor at Legit.ng.