- Pope seen at the Vatican in black pants instead of his usual white robe
- He was in a wheelchair and covered with a striped blanket
- Visit comes as he continues to recover from double pneumonia
- A nasal oxygen tube was visible in the short video
- It was only his second public sighting since March hospital discharge
Pope Francis made an unexpected stop at St Peter’s Basilica on Thursday. But what caught attention was not just his presence—it was his outfit. The 88-year-old pontiff was dressed in black pants instead of his traditional white robes.
Brief Visit While in Recovery
Still recovering from double pneumonia, the pope arrived in a wheelchair. A striped blanket was wrapped around his upper body, and a nasal oxygen tube could be seen helping him breathe.
The brief appearance was captured in a video later verified by Reuters. The pope waved at visitors while attendants wheeled him through the basilica.
Eyewitness Account of the Moment
Luiz Gil, who took the video, said they were inside the basilica when guards started making way. “It was the pope. He stopped briefly to greet a family with a baby,” he recalled.
Only a few visitors noticed what was happening. The moment was quiet, quick, and surprising.
Health Concerns Still Linger
This was only the second time Pope Francis has been seen in public since leaving hospital on March 23. His last appearance was on April 6, when he greeted a crowd at St. Peter’s Square.
Reports indicate this has been one of the most serious health scares of his 12-year reign as head of the Catholic Church.
Rare to See Pope Out of His Robes
While it’s uncommon to see the pope in anything other than papal white, he has occasionally dressed casually during certain foreign visits. But sightings like Thursday’s—within the Vatican and during recovery—are extremely rare.
