Pope Francis Shows Slight Improvements During Convalescence, Vatican Says

“Phone calls with the Gaza parish have continued albeit occasionally,” the statement added, referring to the pope’s regular communication with a Catholic parish in Gaza.

The Holy Father’s written catechesis on the theme of “Jesus Christ Our Hope” will be released by the Vatican on Wednesday.

In view of upcoming Holy Week celebrations at St. Peter’s Basilica, the press office stated that there are currently no “indications” or “predictions” on the pontiff’s public participation in the Vatican’s official ceremonies.

Since returning home after spending almost 40 days in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, the pope has made only one brief public appearance in St. Peter’s Square on April 6.

Greeting thousands of pilgrims participating in the special Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care Workers that day, the Holy Father expressed his particular gratitude for those who show God’s love and mercy to those who are ill and frail.

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“Dear doctors, nurses, and health care workers,” the pope said Sunday, “in caring for your patients, especially the most vulnerable among them, the Lord constantly affords you an opportunity to renew your lives through gratitude, mercy, and hope.”

Kristina Millare is a freelance journalist with a professional communications background in the humanitarian aid and development sector, news journalism, entertainment marketing, politics and government, business and entrepreneurship.