In the Vatican, the “Palm Sunday” liturgy was held on the Sunday before Easter. Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of Catholics, did not conduct the liturgy, and instead, Cardinal Leandro Sandri took on this role.

Known as the “Palm Sunday Festival” in memory of Jesus Christ’s last entry into Jerusalem before being crucified and the people taking to the streets, waving palm leaves in celebration according to the Christian faith, the festival was celebrated with a liturgy attended by approximately 20,000 people on St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. After spending 38 days at Gemelli Hospital in Rome for severe bronchitis in February, Pope Francis, who was discharged on March 23 and is currently in a period of recovery, did not perform the liturgy, but Cardinal Leandro Sandri took on this role.

POPE GREETS THE BELIEVERS

Pope arrived in St. Peter’s Square in a wheelchair during the final part of the liturgy, greeted the believers, and said, “Happy Palm Sundays, I wish you a happy holy week.” Last week, Pope greeted the believers in the square for the first time after his illness during the final part of the liturgy as part of the “Jubilee” year events. It is yet uncertain whether Pope Francis, currently in a period of recovery, will be able to lead the Easter liturgy and rituals next week. Reports in the media suggest that, at this stage, it is not expected for the Pope to participate in the holy week events; however, he may surprise everyone as he has been doing lately.

POPE’S HOSPITALIZATION PERIOD

Pope Francis, during two public events on February 9 and 12, mentioned that he had bronchitis and difficulty breathing, and requested his assistants to read his speech texts. It was reported that Pope was hospitalized on February 14 due to a polymicrobial infection in the respiratory tract. Vatican announced on February 18 that the Pope developed double pneumonia and his clinical condition presented a complex picture. Vatican also stated on February 28 that Pope had a bronchospasm crisis, underwent bronchoaspiration, was put on mechanical ventilation, and responded positively to treatment.

TWO RESPIRATORY CRISIS INCIDENTS

The spiritual leader of Catholics suffered acute respiratory failure twice on March 3 and resumed non-invasive mechanical ventilation. Showing signs of slight improvement starting from March 4, it was reported that the latest chest X-ray on March 12 confirmed radiologically the improvements recorded in recent days. Pope Francis was discharged after greeting the public from the hospital balcony on March 23. Prof. Sergio Alfieri revealed in an interview with Corriere della Sera on March 25 that Pope had narrowly escaped death twice during his hospitalization period.