A long crowd in the parvis of St. Peter's Basilica concluded the Palm Mass for Pope Francis, who arrived in a wheelchair, pushed by his personal nurse Massimiliano Strappetti, at the end of the celebration presided over by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Vice Dean of the College of Cardinals. The Pontiff, without the oxygen nose pads that assist him during his convalescence, greeted those present affectionately, lingering with numerous faithful. In his Angelus message, released for the ninth consecutive Sunday in written form, Pope Francis thanked the faithful: “I thank you so much for your prayers. At this time of physical weakness they help me to feel even more God's closeness, compassion and tenderness. I too pray for you, and I ask you to entrust with me to the Lord all the suffering, especially those affected by war, poverty or natural disasters”.