On Easter Sunday, Pope Francis made a heartfelt return to public life, emerging from his recent convalescence to bless thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square. His appearance was marked by a surprise ride in the iconic popemobile, thrilling the crowd with his unexpected presence. Just weeks after battling a near-fatal case of double pneumonia, the 88-year-old pontiff greeted the joyful congregation, eliciting loud cheers and applause as he navigated the piazza.
As the crowd shouted “Viva il Papa!” (Long live the pope) and “Bravo!,” Francis took time to bless babies brought to him, a touching gesture reminiscent of past Easter celebrations. This scene was particularly poignant, considering that just a few weeks earlier, it seemed unimaginable that he would be back in such good spirits after his health scare. “Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!” he proclaimed, his voice sounding notably stronger than during his hospitalization.
Though Pope Francis did not personally celebrate the Easter Mass in the square, delegating this duty to Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the retired archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, he still made a significant appearance afterward. After the Mass concluded, he stepped onto the loggia balcony overlooking the basilica entrance, where he imparted the apostolic blessing in Latin. The thousands of faithful gathered below erupted in cheers as a military band played the anthems of the Holy See and Italy.
During his balcony appearance, Francis delivered a speech that highlighted his ongoing commitment to global peace—a central theme of the Vatican’s Easter celebrations. His message, read by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, emphasized the need for peace in various global hotspots, including Gaza and Ukraine. “May the risen Christ grant Ukraine, devastated by war, his Easter gift of peace, and encourage all parties involved to pursue efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace,” he stated passionately.
Easter is regarded as the most joyful moment in the Christian liturgical calendar, celebrating the resurrection of Christ after his crucifixion. This year, both Catholics and Orthodox Christians celebrated Easter on the same day, with the occasion marked by a temporary Easter truce announced by Russia in its ongoing war in Ukraine. Traditionally, Easter at the Vatican features a Mass and the pope’s Urbi et Orbi blessing, which translates to “to the city and the world,” offering a summary of global issues and human suffering.
Since returning to the Vatican on March 23 after a 38-day hospital stay, Pope Francis has made only a limited number of public appearances. He missed the solemn services of Good Friday and Holy Saturday but was expected to attend the Easter Sunday events. Following medical advice, he has significantly reduced his workload, focusing on a two-month convalescence and respiratory therapy to improve his lung function. While he still appears to struggle to project his voice and breathe comfortably, his words from the loggia were stronger than during previous outings.
Prior to his Easter Sunday appearance, Pope Francis’ most significant outing was a visit to a downtown prison in Rome on Holy Thursday, illustrating his commitment to spending time with the marginalized as he slowly recovers. His presence at these events reinforces his dedication to the core values of compassion and community that the Catholic Church stands for.
