Brian Williams returned to TV, his seven-month suspension from NBC News at an end.

"Good day. I'm Brian Williams at MSNBC headquarters here in New York," the 56-year-old began his first day once again anchoring breaking news for the cable network, where he hosted his own program before becoming anchor of NBC Nightly News in 2004. "In a short time, Pope Francis will arrive in this country for the first time."

The return of the Pope also marked the return of Brian. His appearance on the basic cable news channel is a significant demotion from his old post as the head news anchor on NBC.

Lester Holt has since taken over his old position and is now the permanent NBC Nightly News anchor. In his first appearance on the channel, Brian went directly into his coverage of the Pope visiting Washington D.C. and made no comment regarding his return to the air.

Looking tan and sounding relaxed, Williams chatted with Chuck Todd, Maria Shriver, Andrea Mitchell and Pete Williams as they awaited the pope's grand entrance.

His return came seven months after being suspended without pay from his anchor role on NBC Nightly News in February when it was revealed that he had greatly exaggerated stories of experiencing combat while covering the war in Iraq. A subsequent investigation found that he had lied at least 11 times about his reporting.

The former NBC Nightly News anchor of 10 years said in a statement when he was moved to MSNBC and Holt was announced as his replacement: "I'm sorry. I said things that weren't true. I let down my NBC colleagues and our viewers, and I'm determined to earn back their trust."

He added: "I will greatly miss working with the team on Nightly News, but I know the broadcast will be in excellent hands with Lester Holt as anchor. I will support him 100 percent as he has always supported me. I am grateful for the chance to return to covering the news. My new role will allow me to focus on important issues and events in our country and around the world, and I look forward to it."

Williams later told Matt Lauer, "I'm a grateful person. I am fully aware of the second chance I have been given. I don't intend to squander it. I have strong feelings for the folks who tuned in all these years."