#Maskless Pope Francis makes first public appearance in six months

Pope Francis appeared for his first public audience Wednesday following a six-month suspension of public Vatican events during Italy’s coronavirus lockdown — though the pontiff did not wear a mask as he stood before about 500 Roman Catholic faithful.

The 83-year-old pope appeared in the Vatican’s San Damaso courtyard, where attendees were required to wear masks — though some are shown in photos not adhering to the request, or with their face coverings pulled down.

The pontiff kept a safe distance as he greeted the faithful, who were cheering and waving at him.

During the appearance, the pontiff said that the worldwide pandemic “has highlighted our interdependence.”

“We are all linked to each other, for better or for worse,” he said. “To come out of this crisis better than before, we have to do so together, all of us, in solidarity.”

One of the attendees, Inigo Sanchez, said that if the pope could work miracles, he’d “ask him to end the pandemic, but unfortunately he doesn’t have this power.”

“So I just ask for closeness,” he added.

Prior to the event, Pope Francis also greeted a priest from Lebanon and kissed a Lebanese flag he had brought with him to Vatican City.

He called for a day of prayer and fasting for the country on Sept. 4, a month after the massive explosion in Beirut’s port killed at least 190 people, injured more than 6,000 and caused major damage.

“One month after the tragedy that struck the city of Beirut, my thoughts are still with dear Lebanon and its particularly troubled population,” he said.

The announcement that the pope would resume public audiences — though in a different location and with a limited number of attendees — came on Aug. 26, the Catholic News Agency reported.

However, many of those present Wednesday said they were simply in the right place at the right time, according to the report.

With Post wires