Pope makes first public appearance following illness

Pope Francis has made his first public appearance in four days after being forced to cancel some activities due to an illness.

He appeared at the window of the Vatican's Apostolic Palace for his weekly Sunday noon blessing.

It comes just days after he was seen coughing and sneezing during his Ash Wednesday Mass in Rome.

The Vatican described the Pope's condition as a "mild indisposition" without specifying any details. 

Meanwhile, Italy has registered 29 deaths and more than 1,100 infections since February 20, making it the worst outbreak of coronavirus in Europe.