Pope Blesses Crowd From St. Peter's Balcony - A general view of the huge crowed which massed in St. Peter's Square, Vatican City, March 22, to hear the Pope's speech and to received his blessing. This photo was made from the top of St. Peter's Basilica. It was the pope's first appearance on the famous balcony since his recent illness. The crowd numbered about 150,000 and included some 50,000 delegates to the national Italian farmers' convention. March 23, 1953. (Photo by Associated Press Photo).