Pope Francis presided over Easter Sunday Mass at Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City, joined by tens of thousands of Catholics, amidst ongoing worries about his health.
Arriving in a wheelchair, the 87-year-old pontiff conducted the Mass starting at 10:00 am (0800 GMT) amidst cloudy and windy weather. The event was broadcast globally.
Later at midday, Francis delivered the “Urbi et Orbi” (To the City and the World) blessing, where he addressed the prevalent international conflicts.
Easter Sunday commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, marking the climax of Holy Week, observed by 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide.
The day before, Pope Francis presided over the Easter Vigil, attended by around 6,000 people from diverse backgrounds. Despite recent concerns about his health following a last-minute cancellation of a major Good Friday procession, he delivered a 10-minute homily in Italian without evident difficulty.
While questions about his health persist, the Vatican clarified that there were no specific worries and the precautionary measure was taken to ensure his well-being.
In 2023, the Pope had also skipped the “Via Crucis” following a brief hospitalization, but this recent cancellation was announced promptly. Although he appeared fatigued at times, he has continued his engagements throughout the week, albeit with occasional delegation of speaking roles.
While Pope Francis has hinted at the possibility of resigning if he becomes unable to fulfill his duties, his recent memoir reiterated his commitment to his role, stating that he does not currently contemplate resigning.
