Many media representatives accredited at the Vatican initially tried to verify the authenticity of the moving images, which some found disturbing.
The videos show the Pope in a wheelchair, wearing dark trousers and a white vest with long sleeves, covered by a striped blanket.
The carer pushing him, Massimiliano Strappetti, is not wearing a jacket.
The reactions to the clips vary. First, the Pope meets a boy and asks him his name. The boy gives his name and is then introduced to the Pope - "il Papa".
The boy responds with the greeting: "Hi Papa" and walks on. Next, a young couple with a baby is shown. The father with the baby in the baby carrier kneels down, hands the child to the Pope, who blesses it.
The Vatican does not show the pictures
The news agency Reuters eventually secured some of the videos and spread the news that the Pope had appeared in civilian clothes for the first time since his election.
The Vatican's own portal "Vatican News" was different: it did not show the unusual images, but chose an archive image from last Sunday.
It shows the Pope in his official white robe and headdress as he crosses the Holy Door of St Peter's Basilica in a wheelchair.
It read: "In a simple wheelchair and with a blanket over his legs, the head of the Catholic Church (...) was driven to the altar of the cathedra. (...) Only a few minutes were enough to surprise the more than one hundred faithful, restorers, pilgrims and people who happened to be present. (...) Groups of pilgrims, children, restorers and visitors respectfully flocked to the Pope to see him, greet him or receive his blessing. Some even queued up to shake his hand or catch a smile. 'The emotions were so great that I couldn't see through the tears and couldn't even take a photo,' Monsignor Valerio Di Palma, Canon of St Peter's, told the Vatican media."
Between indignation and expressions of respect
While Vatican media emphasised the emotions and respect, other media speculated about the significance of the surprise appearance, which was apparently not coordinated with anyone.
The journalist Elisabetta Piqué, who already knew the Pope as Archbishop in Buenos Aires, recalled in the newspaper "La Nación" that the Argentinian Curia Cardinal Victor Fernandez had already said shortly before the Pope's hospital discharge that Francis would soon provide a few surprises.
And she pointed out that although the Pope had never appeared in public without his white robe, he had also taken off his white cassock for comfort on long flights in the past - although there were never any pictures of this.
The conservative Catholic media network "EWTN" showed the much-discussed video with the subtitle: "For the first time he was seen without his papal vestments."
Comments from users online ranged from outrage ("The Pope is playing civilian") to admiration and respect for the public display of weakness and humanity.
The Spanish student association "Universitarios Católicos" commented on the controversial images on "X" with the words: "Let us pray for Pope Francis, who supports the Church and all believers even in suffering and illness."