Pope makes unexpected appearances for Holy Week despite ailing health

Lorena Araujo Piñeiro, a restorer, was putting the finishing touches on the restoration of the 17th-century tomb of Pope Urban VIII, a dark bronze and gold monument in St Peter's Basilica when she noticed a man wearing a striped poncho-like top, black trousers and no shoes being pushed in a wheelchair towards her.

- Angela Giuffrida

"It was around noon and the basilica was practically empty," said Piñeiro. "I struggled to recognise who it was. I thought he was a simple pilgrim. It was as if he'd just got out of bed."

The man in the wheelchair was no other than Pope Francis, who had come to the basilica to thank Piñeiro and her colleague, Michela Malfanti, for their work.

It was the second time within a few days that the pontiff, who almost died in February during a severe bout of pneumonia, had made a surprise public appearance since being discharged from hospital on 23 March, defying doctors' orders to rest for at least two months. On the first occasion he appeared at Sunday mass in St Peter's Square. He also privately met King Charles and Queen Camilla during their state visit to Italy.

Francis delegated cardinals to lead Holy Week liturgies, although he maintained the Maundy Thursday tradition of visiting inmates at Regina Coeli prison in Rome, and is expected to make another appearance during Easter Sunday mass.