" Happy Palm Sunday , Happy Holy Week!" Pope Francis said from the steps of St. Peter's Square , where he arrived as a surprise for Palm Sunday Mass .

The Pope, without nose pads and therefore without the oxygen that is accompanying him in his convalescence , then lingered in the square for about ten minutes, greeting the faithful.

Yet another surprise from the recovering Pontiff , after his presence last Sunday at the Jubilee of the Sick and his outings to the Vatican Basilica and yesterday to Santa Maria Maggiore to pray before the icon of the Salus Populi Romani.

"Sisters and brothers, I thank you so much for your prayers. In this moment of physical weakness, they help me to feel even more the closeness, compassion and tenderness of God. I also pray for you, and I ask you to entrust with me to the Lord all those who suffer, especially those affected by war, poverty or natural disasters", his words in the Angelus released, for the ninth consecutive Sunday, with a written text.

(Online Union)