ROME – Though in theory observing a two-month period of rest, Pope Francis Thursday made his third surprise appearance in a week, showing up inside St Peter’s Basilica in the middle of the afternoon, without his usual papal attire.
In videos and photos circulating on social media, the Pope, wearing black pants and a white undershirt with a poncho covering his torso from the front, came to the basilica at around 1pm local time and prayed for about 10 minutes in front of the tomb of Pope Pius X.
Accompanied by his personal nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti and some healthcare personnel, he was wearing his oxygen nasal cannulas and waved to visitors and blessed some children during the brief appearance.
