The Pope gave the blessing “Urbi et Orbi”

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In front of tens of thousands of people, Pope Francis gave the blessing “Urbi et Orbi” (“to the city and the world”) on Easter Sunday in St. Peter’s Square in Rome.

The 88-year-old Francis appeared in a wheelchair on the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica without nasal cannulas and blessed the pilgrims. “Happy Easter!” the Pope wished the faithful weakly. He waved to the pilgrims.

The papal master of ceremonies, Diego Ravelli, then read the Pope’s Easter message, in which the Holy Father once again pleaded for peace in Ukraine and the Middle East.

“I express my closeness to the suffering Christians in Palestine and Israel, as well as to the entire Israeli and Palestinian people. The growing climate of anti-Semitism that is spreading throughout the world is worrying. At the same time, my thoughts are with the people and especially the Christian community in the Gaza Strip, where the terrible conflict continues to bring death and destruction,” the Pope’s message said.

Pope’s urgent appeal for peace in the Middle East
Francis appealed to the warring parties to cease fire, release the hostages, and help the people. He also prayed for peace in Lebanon, Syria, and Ukraine. “May the risen Christ grant the tormented Ukraine the Easter gift of peace and encourage all those involved to continue their efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace,” said the Pope in his Easter message. At the same time, he called for religious freedom and disarmament.

Before the “Urbi et Orbi” blessing, the Pope met US Vice President James David Vance in the Santa Marta guest house, where the guest from the USA is staying. Vance, who has converted to Catholicism, was received on Saturday by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Paroli, the second-highest official in the Vatican after the Pope. Vance arrived in Rome with his family on Friday and met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Tens of thousands of pilgrims at Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Square
Thousands of people attended the Easter Mass celebrated by Cardinal Angelo Comastri in St. Peter’s Square in Rome. The 81-year-old Italian was formerly the Vicar General of the Vatican State. The service was broadcast live on television in numerous countries. The service’s sermon, written by Francis, was read by Comastri.

Francis was able to leave the Gemelli Clinic in Rome four weeks ago after more than a month in the hospital. Francis has not yet fully recovered from the life-threatening respiratory infections and must continue to take it easy. He is now recuperating in his residence, the Casa Santa Marta. Nevertheless, he is keeping appointments, visiting a Roman prison on Maundy Thursday, for example. The Pope had to refrain from the usual foot washing in memory of Jesus’ gesture of humility. Instead, he greeted the inmates and prayed with them. On Saturday evening, Francis appeared in a wheelchair in St. Peter’s Basilica. He prayed in front of the tomb of St. Peter.