Recovering pope delights crowd in Vatican square

Pope Francis on Palm Sunday delighted worshippers with an impromptu tour of St Peter's Square, against the advice of his doctors to avoid crowds while recovering from pneumonia. Since his release from hospital, the pope has ventured out on several occasions despite his doctors urging him to rest, with his surprise visits appearing on no official Vatican programme.

On Thursday, he made an unscheduled visit to Saint Peter's Basilica to inspect renovation work and to visit the tomb of Pius X, before making a trip on Saturday to pray at his favourite basilica, Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.

And after his planned meeting with King Charles III was initially cancelled due to his ill health, Francis welcomed the British monarch and Queen Camilla in private on Wednesday. In his Sunday Angelus prayer, released by the Vatican, the pontiff thanked the flock for their prayers and issued his customary call for peace in the world.