Pope Francis arrives as he celebrates Easter mass in St. Peter’s Sq. on the Vatican, Sunday, March 31, 2024.
Andrew Medichini/AP
conceal caption
toggle caption
Andrew Medichini/AP
Pope Francis arrives as he celebrates Easter mass in St. Peter’s Sq. on the Vatican, Sunday, March 31, 2024.
Andrew Medichini/AP
ROME — Pope Francis overcame issues about his well being to preside over Easter Sunday Mass, main some 30,000 folks in a flower-decked St. Peter’s Sq. in some of the essential liturgies of the 12 months.
Simply hours after celebrating the 2½-hour nighttime Easter Vigil, the 87-year-old Francis appeared in good kind initially of the liturgy within the blustery piazza. Francis, who had a part of one lung eliminated as a younger man, has been battling respiratory issues all winter that the Vatican and he have mentioned have been bronchitis, the flu or a chilly.
A view of St. Peter’s Sq. at The Vatican through the Easter Sunday mass celebrated by Pope Francis, Sunday, March 31, 2024.
Alessandra Tarantino/AP
conceal caption
toggle caption
Alessandra Tarantino/AP
A view of St. Peter’s Sq. at The Vatican through the Easter Sunday mass celebrated by Pope Francis, Sunday, March 31, 2024.
Alessandra Tarantino/AP
The Vatican mentioned some 30,000 folks attended the Mass, with extra packing the By way of della Conciliazione boulevard resulting in the piazza. Initially of the service, a gust of wind knocked over a big non secular icon on the altar just some toes from the pope; ushers shortly righted it.
Easter Mass is without doubt one of the most essential dates on the liturgical calendar, celebrating what the trustworthy consider was Jesus’ resurrection after his crucifixion. The Mass precedes the pope’s “Urbi et Orbi” (to the town and the world) blessing, a prolonged speech that historically rounds up all of the threats going through humanity.
Pope Francis celebrates Easter mass in St. Peter’s Sq. on the Vatican, Sunday, March 31, 2024.
Andrew Medichini/AP
conceal caption
toggle caption
Andrew Medichini/AP
Pope Francis celebrates Easter mass in St. Peter’s Sq. on the Vatican, Sunday, March 31, 2024.
Andrew Medichini/AP
For the previous few weeks, Francis has typically prevented delivering lengthy speeches to keep away from the pressure on his respiratory. He ditched his Palm Sunday homily final week and determined on the final minute to remain house from the Good Friday procession on the Colosseum.
The Vatican mentioned in a short rationalization that the choice was made to “preserve his well being.”
Vatican Swiss Guards take place in St. Peter’s Sq. at The Vatican the place Pope Francis will rejoice the Easter Sunday mass, Sunday, March 31, 2024.
Andrew Medichini/AP
conceal caption
toggle caption
Andrew Medichini/AP
Vatican Swiss Guards take place in St. Peter’s Sq. at The Vatican the place Pope Francis will rejoice the Easter Sunday mass, Sunday, March 31, 2024.
Andrew Medichini/AP
The choice appeared to have paid off, as Francis was in a position to recite the prayers of the prolonged Saturday night time Easter Vigil service, together with administering the sacraments of baptism and First Communion to eight new Catholics, and preside over Easter Sunday Mass.
After a busy Holy Week, Francis ought to have a while to get better as there are not any main international journeys scheduled for a number of months.