Public returns to St. Peter's Square; pope calls for defence of environment

Pope Francis waves to people at St Peter's Square after the Regina Coeli prayer, which was held without public participation due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, at the Vatican May 24, 2020. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The public returned to St Peter's Square on Sunday to receive Pope Francis's blessing from his window for the first time in nearly three months as he convoked a year of reflection on the environment.

Only a few dozen people went to the square, which was reopened on Monday along with St Peter's Basilica following coronavirus lockdowns. They kept to social distancing rules and most wore masks.