Pope Francis, despite his health concerns, led tens of thousands of attendees in Easter Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square. The Pope, who has been battling respiratory issues all winter, appeared in good form for one of the most important liturgies of the year.
Easter Mass is a significant date on the liturgical calendar, commemorating Jesus’ resurrection. The Mass is followed by the pope’s “Urbi et Orbi” blessing, where he addresses global challenges. In recent weeks, Francis has been cautious about delivering long speeches to avoid strain on his breathing, skipping his Palm Sunday homily and Good Friday procession to preserve his health.
Just hours after the Easter Vigil, Francis presided over the Mass in the blustery piazza, despite having had part of one lung removed as a young man. Despite this caution and being careful not to overexert himself, Francis successfully led the Easter Vigil service and baptized new Catholics before presiding over Easter Sunday Mass. Following a busy Holy Week, the Pope will have time to recover with no major foreign trips planned for the coming months.
