The faithful assembled in Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square for the Sunday Mass celebrating the Jubilee were pleasantly surprised by the unannounced appearance by an ailing Pope Francis, in his first public appearance since being discharged from the hospital two weeks ago.

Still weak after his grueling five-week treatment for double pneumonia, Francis entered the Square in a wheelchair to greet the cheering crowd.

Francis hadn’t been seen in public since a short greeting before leaving Rome’s Gemelli hospital on March 23, following the most serious health crisis of his 12-year papacy.

Reuters reported:

“The pope, in a previously unannounced move, came out to the square shortly before noon at the end of the celebration of a Mass for the Catholic Church’s Jubilee year.

Coming in front of the main altar for the service in bright sunshine, Francis waved to the crowds, before speaking briefly.

‘Happy Sunday to everyone’, the pope said, speaking in a rail voice while receiving oxygen via a small hose under his nose. ‘Thank you so much’.”

To the joy of everyone in St. Peter’s Square, this morning Pope Francis made a surprise appearance for the Jubilee of the Sick and Healthcare Workers. Visibly frail, connected to an oxygen tank, with his voice still very weak, he wished everyone a good Sunday. pic.twitter.com/ZlRo00Bp2L

— Catholic Sat (@CatholicSat) April 6, 2025

Today’s mass may have held a particular meaning for Francis as it was a special Jubilee celebration in honor of the sick and the healthcare workers.

“In a written message released by the Vatican shortly after noon, Francis said he had felt God’s closeness during his time in hospital.

‘I ask the Lord that this touch of his love might reach all those who suffer and encourage those who are taking care of them’, said the text.”

I have much in common with you at this time of my life, dear brothers and sisters who are sick: the experience of illness, of weakness, of having to depend on others for so many things, and of needing their support. #Jubilee

— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) April 6, 2025

The hospital room and the sickbed can also be places where we hear the voice of the Lord speak to us: “Behold, I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Is 43:19). In this way, we renew and strengthen our faith. #Jubilee

— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) April 6, 2025

With Easter Sunday just two weeks away, it’s unclear how (or if) the pope will participate in public ceremonies, as doctors have prescribed Francis with a two-month period of rest at his Vatican residence.

Read more:

Pope Francis’ Health Situation Was at One Point So Dire That Doctors Contemplated Stopping the Treatment and ‘Letting Him Die in Peace’

The post ALIVE: Pope Francis Makes Surprise First Public Appearance During Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square After Long Hospital Stay appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Vicky

Photo credit: depositphotos.com

On Friday, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) began the process of cutting its workforce by at least 25%.

In addition to the layoffs, the agency will also eliminate its Office of Civil Rights and Compliance.

In an email sent to employees on Friday, the agency noted that the reductions will “be implemented in phases” and employees will be offered early retirement incentives beginning next week.

Fox News reports:

“This action is being taken to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the IRS in accordance with agency priorities and the Workforce Optimization Initiative outlined in a recent Executive Order,” the letter states, referring to President Donald Trump‘s executive order directing the Department of Government Efficiency to get rid of wasteful spending.

The agency said it was approved to offer Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) and Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP). Information about those programs will be shared with employees at a later date, the message said.

“This calendar year to date, approximately 5% of this office left through the Deferred Resignation Program and attrition,” the message said. “An additional 75% of the office will be reduced through a RIF (Reduction in Force).”

In March, President Trump announced the firing of 6,000 IRS workers, the majority of whom were hired by the Biden Regime.

The cuts are in sharp contrast to the Biden administration’s efforts to grow the already bloated agency by 88,000 new agents to target the middle class.

The Gateway Pundit reported that during the Biden regime, last month the IRS threatened to go after individuals or organizations that questioned Joe Biden or the federal government’s “ability to govern.”

The post IRS Prepares to Cut Workforce by 25% appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Vicky

Director of the National Economic Council, Kevin Hassett, says 50 countries have already reached out to the Trump administration to renegotiate their trade deals with the US.

On Sunday morning, Kevin Hassett, the Director of the National Economic Council, joined This Week on ABC to discuss Trump’s tariffs.

Hassett told This Week that over 50 countries have reached out to the Trump White renegotiate their trade agreements with the US thanks to President Trump’s tough stand.

This shows Trump’s tariff’s plan in already working.

Kevin Hassett:  I got a report from the USDR last night that more than 50 countries have reached out to the President to begin a negotiation.  But they’re doing that because they understand that they bear a lot of the tariff. And so, I don’t think that you’re going to see a big effect on the consumer in the US, because I do think that the reason why we have a persistent long-run trade deficit is these people have very inelastic supply.

They’ve been dumping goods into the country in order to create jobs, say, in China.

Via This Week on ABC News.

JUST IN: Over 50 countries have reached out to President Trump to negotiate new trade deals, US National Economic Council Director says. pic.twitter.com/cZ0MC3Fmiu

— Watcher.Guru (@WatcherGuru) April 6, 2025

On Wednesday, President Trump signed an executive order imposing reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries.

Gateway Pundit contributor Antonio Graceffo reported on President Trump’s courageous and common-sense move. Democrats have criticized President Trump’s tariffs, arguing that they lead to price increases that disadvantage American workers. While tariffs can contribute to higher prices, they also benefit American workers.

Firstly, revenue generated from tariffs contributes to the government’s operating fund, potentially offsetting expenses that would otherwise be covered by income taxes. This additional revenue has opened discussions about tax relief measures, such as removing income tax from overtime pay or tips.

Tariffs can reduce the need for subsidies by leveling the playing field for American producers competing against heavily subsidized foreign imports. A good example is agriculture.

In less than one week, more than 50 countries have reached out to the White House to begin trade talks, Kevin Hassett, a top economic adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday.

TGP’s Ben Kew on Saturday listed a number of countries already reaching out to the Trump Administration.

Here is an initial list of countries and the tariffs Trump has imposed on their products entering the US.

The post Trump Was Right: More than 50 Countries Have Already Contacted White House to Negotiate Trade and Tariffs appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Vicky