Pope Francis emerged from his convalescence on Easter Sunday to bless the thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square and treat them to a surprise popemobile tour through the piazza, drawing wild cheers and applause as he continues his recovery from a near-fatal bout of double pneumonia.

Pope Francis, still recovering from a dangerous bout with bilateral pneumonia, also had a brief meeting with Vice President JD Vance.

"The meeting, which lasted a few minutes, gave them the opportunity to exchange Easter greetings," the Vatican press office said in a statement.