Pope Leads Easter Mass Despite Health Concerns

“Peace, Francis emphasized, is achieved not through weapons but through open hands and hearts,” he declared from the balcony, eliciting applause from the crowd below.

Despite leading the 2.5-hour Easter Vigil the night before, Pope Francis appeared cheerful. Despite battling respiratory issues in the winter, he showed vitality during the Easter festivities.

Around 30,000 individuals gathered for the Mass, with some spilling onto Via della Conciliazione leading to the square.

A gust of wind caused a large religious icon near the altar to topple over at the beginning of the service, but it was swiftly restored by ushers.

Easter Mass holds great significance in the religious calendar, marking believers’ faith in Jesus’ resurrection after his crucifixion. The Mass is followed by the Pope’s “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) blessing, where he traditionally addresses global challenges.

This year, Francis expressed his thoughts for those in Ukraine and Gaza and all individuals enduring conflict, especially the children whom he mentioned had “forgotten how to smile.”

“In advocating for adherence to international law principles, I express my desire for a comprehensive exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine: all for the benefit of all!” he stated.

He urged the swift release of individuals captured from Israel on October 7, an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and the provision of humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians.

“Let us prevent the ongoing hostilities from further impacting the civilian population, already stretched to its limits, especially the children,” he emphasized in a speech that also addressed the challenges faced by Haitians, the Rohingya, and victims of human trafficking.

In recent weeks, Pope Francis has refrained from lengthy speeches to avoid straining his breathing. He skipped delivering his Palm Sunday homily last week and made a last-minute decision to stay home from the Good Friday procession at the Colosseum.

The Vatican explained that the decision was made to “preserve his health.”

The choice proved successful as Francis led the prayers during the lengthy Saturday night Easter Vigil service, conducted baptisms and First Communions for eight new Catholics, presided over Easter Sunday Mass, and delivered his address.

Francis was not the only leader providing a reassuring presence on Easter.

In the UK, King Charles III attended an Easter service at Windsor Castle, marking his most significant public appearance since being diagnosed with cancer last month. As he entered St. George’s Chapel, the monarch greeted onlookers with a wave and exchanged Easter wishes with a member of the public.

However, Easter in Jerusalem at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was far from normal. With the Israel-Hamas conflict ongoing in Gaza, only a few faithful attended the service at the historic church, believed by Christians to be where Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected.

In previous years, the church was filled with worshippers and tourists. Yet, due to the prolonged conflict in Gaza, tourism and pilgrimages across Israel and the Palestinian territories have significantly declined.

The streets of the Old City lacked Palestinian Christians from the West Bank who typically visit Jerusalem for Easter. Since the conflict began, Palestinian worshippers from the Israeli-occupied territory have required special permission to cross checkpoints into Jerusalem.