Pope Francis, 88, recovering from a serious bout of double pneumonia, did not preside over the Easter Sunday Mass at St. Peter’s Square but made a brief, unannounced visit to St. Peter’s Basilica on Holy Saturday to pray and greet the faithful gathered for the Easter Vigil. The pontiff, confined to a wheelchair and accompanied by his nurse, spent about 15 minutes in prayer and stopped at the tomb of St. Peter before warmly acknowledging some of the pilgrims present.
Due to his ongoing recovery, the reading of the Easter Mass was delegated to Cardinal Angelo Comastri, with the Pope expected to deliver the traditional "Urbi et Orbi" blessing from the balcony overlooking the square. Despite his fragile voice and limited public appearances since his hospital discharge on March 23, Pope Francis remains spiritually present to the millions of Catholics worldwide during this pivotal celebration of Christ’s resurrection.
The Easter Vigil homily, read by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re on the Pope’s behalf, emphasized the Resurrection as the "definitive turning point in human history," calling on the faithful to nurture the "small seed of light" that overcomes darkness and unbelief. The Pope’s message highlighted hope, love, and the promise of new life, reinforcing the spiritual significance of Easter amid his health challenges.
This Easter is marked by the Pope’s limited physical involvement for the first time since his election in 2013, underscoring a solemn yet hopeful observance as the Catholic Church celebrates a Jubilee year with millions of pilgrims visiting Rome. The Pope’s resilience and symbolic presence continue to inspire the global Catholic community during this holy season.
