Pope Francis's last public appearance was for an Easter Sunday blessing at the Vatican's St Peter's Square. It had been unknown at the time if the pontiff would join the service following his discharge from hospital last month,

VATICAN CITY − Pope Francis reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza in an Easter Sunday message read aloud by an aide as the pontiff, who died on Monday, looked on during a brief appearance on the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.

Incidentally, Pope Francis made his last public appearance on Easter Sunday in St. Peter’s Square, a surprise and unexpected greeting to the estimated crowd of more than 35,000 people. He rode through the piazza in his popemobile. It was his first appearance in front of a large crowd since before his illness.