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Why Pope Francis ditched his papal attire for black pants during latest appearance
Pope Francis, who is recovering from double pneumonia, was spotted in black pants instead of his usual traditional white papal attire
Pope Francis, who is recovering from double pneumonia, was spotted in black pants instead of his usual traditional white papal attire at the St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on Thursday. Videos of the 88-year-old being wheelchaired in the church, wearing pants and a striped blanket around his chest surfaced on social media.
The Vatican chief could be also seen waving at visitors to the basilica. He had a small nasal hose to receive supplemental oxygen.
Read More: Pope Francis makes first public appearance at Vatican after hospital stay
“We were visiting St. Peter's Basilica and saw some guards passing by and making way, so we went to see what it was, and it was the pope. Few people noticed, it was very quick, but he stopped to talk to a family with a baby,” Luiz Gil, who took the video, said.
Why did the Pope ditch his traditional attire?
While there is no official reason behind Pope Francis wearing a black pant, the Vatican's press office said that his visit on Thursday was ‘completely spontaneous’. The 88-year-old had been walking inside the Vatican residence and ‘decided to prolong it’ by going into the basilica to pray.
He was wearing black pants and a blanket at his residence.
"The pope was taking a walk yesterday morning, he asked to extend the walk by going to pray in the basilica," Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni told reporters at a briefing.
Francis spent 38 days in hospital for double pneumonia. He was discharged on March 23 and his first public appearance was during an event in St Peter's Square on April 6.
Pope Francis was ‘happy’ to get out and about this week. However, he is yet to confirm his presence at an Easter event.
"He was happy to go to the basilica and greet people," Bruni said.
On Friday, the Vatican said his voice and mobility were improving. "There are improvements (in his health) that you have been able to notice with the outings in the past days," Bruni added.
