VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis made a triumphant return to public life on Easter Sunday, having recently recovered from a serious illness. The 88-year-old pontiff blessed thousands in St. Peter's Square and delighted the crowd with an unexpected joyride in his open-topped popemobile. This event marks a significant moment in his recovery from a potentially life-threatening case of double pneumonia, and Francis's presence drew enthusiastic cheers from the gathered faithful.
“Viva il Papa!” (Long live the pope), “Bravo!” the crowd exclaimed as Francis navigated through the square. He stopped periodically to bless infants brought to him, a gesture that was widely practiced before his medical crisis but seemed unfathomable just weeks ago. His message of “Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!” resonated strongly, and his voice appeared notably more robust than in recent weeks since his hospital release on March 23 after a prolonged five-week stay.
Although Pope Francis did not preside over the Easter Mass, which he delegated to Cardinal Angelo Comastri, he made a public appearance on the loggia balcony above St. Peter's Basilica after the Mass. For over 20 minutes, he delivered the apostolic blessing in Latin, prompting an enthusiastic reaction from the crowd of approximately 35,000 attendees. The Vatican noted that the weather on that sunny spring day was pleasant, with temperatures reaching 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit), amidst a vibrant display of flowers such as tulips and daffodils donated by the Netherlands.
One pilgrim from Mexico, Margarita Torres Hernandez, expressed her joy, stating, “It is excellent, a miracle. Now that he has come out, for me it’s a miracle, it’s something very big, very beautiful.” In a notable interaction, Pope Francis also briefly met U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who was in Rome for Easter with his family. The Vatican stated that their meeting was intended for exchanging Easter greetings and lasted only a few minutes. Francis gifted Vance three large chocolate Easter eggs for his children, highlighting the warm exchange amid the celebrations.
Pope Francis's public appearances have been limited following his recent hospitalization, and he missed the solemn services of Good Friday and Holy Saturday prior to Easter. Medical professionals have advised a two-month recovery period with respiratory therapy, aimed at enhancing his lung function after the pneumonia scare. Although he still faces challenges with his voice and breathing, his appearance on Easter Sunday indicated a semblance of improved health.
Many attendees expressed their emotional connection to the occasion, with one Polish pilgrim, Marcin Popowsky, stating, “It was a very touching moment for us (to see the pope), and we are very happy that we can see a pope in good shape.” Easter is an exceptionally joyous day in the Christian calendar, commemorating Christ's resurrection. This year, both Catholics and Orthodox Christians celebrated Easter on the same date, a rare occurrence, and the day was marked with gestures of peace, particularly with a temporary truce in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The Easter celebrations at the Vatican feature the Mass and the Urbi et Orbi blessing, which is a customary papal address addressing global concerns. In a speech delivered by Archbishop Diego Ravelli on his behalf, Pope Francis called for peace in regions experiencing conflict, such as Gaza and Ukraine, as well as in Congo and Myanmar. He emphasized compassion for marginalized groups and migrants, urging the faithful to renew their trust in others, regardless of differences in customs and beliefs.
Before his Easter appearance, Francis's tenure was marked by a visit to a downtown prison where he engaged with inmates. This activity demonstrated his commitment to being with those on the margins of society as he continues to recuperate. Overall, his public appearance on Easter Sunday represented a significant milestone in his recovery and offered a hopeful message to the faithful around the world.
