Pope Francis encouraged pilgrim groups visiting Rome for the Holy Year to be witnesses of hope and trust in God’s faithfulness, especially in moments of discouragement.

While the 88-year-old pope was back at the Vatican and had appeared briefly on the balcony of Rome’s Gemelli hospital March 23, the Sunday he was discharged, to offer his blessing, he was following doctors’ orders to rest and did not make a televised or public appearance.

Pope Francis offered prayers and expressed deep concern over the deadly wildfires in South Korea, which have claimed at least 28 lives and caused widespread damage.

Christians should resist the temptation to be swayed by applause, popularity or approval, especially in a culture driven by social media and instant recognition, instead grounding their lives firmly in Christ, the preacher of the papal household said.

Home from the hospital after more than five weeks, Pope Francis is showing “slight improvements” in his breathing, ability to speak and mobility, the Vatican press office said.

Priests must recognize that it is a privilege to administer the sacrament of reconciliation and grant absolution, Pope Francis wrote.

As Pope Francis continues his convalescence, the Vatican published a full calendar of Holy Week and Easter liturgies with no indication of who would preside or be the main celebrant.

A Jubilee year pilgrimage is not a series of tasks to complete in order to reap a reward, but rather a journey to help pilgrims experience God’s mercy and grow stronger in their conviction that Jesus is at their side, said Cardinal Angelo De Donatis.

The Jesuits have written to 20 women who have accused Father Marko Rupnik of sexual, psychological and spiritual abuse, offering to work with them to find a path of reparation “geared toward healing the wounds” caused by the former Jesuit priest.

The number of Catholics and permanent deacons in the world rose in 2023, while the number of seminarians, priests, men and women in religious orders, and baptisms all declined, according to Vatican statistics.