Pope Francis stepped out on Easter Sunday, following weeks of convalescence to bless thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square. The 88-year-old pontiff even surprised the crowd with a ride through the piazza in his popemobile, drawing waves of applause and joyful cheers.
“Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!” Pope Francis declared, his voice noticeably stronger—an encouraging sign following his recent near-fatal battle with double pneumonia, reported AP.
Cries of “Viva il Papa!” and “Bravo!” echoed through the square as Pope Francis made several loops in his open-top vehicle. The Pope also paused along the way to bless babies brought forward by their parents—a tradition that had seemed unimaginable just weeks ago when the 88-year-old pontiff was diagnosed with double pneumonia.
Pope Francis didn’t celebrate the Easter Mass in the piazza, delegating it to Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the retired archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica.
But after the Mass ended, Francis appeared on the loggia balcony over the basilica entrance for more than 20 minutes and imparted the apostolic blessing in Latin. The thousands of people below erupted in cheers as a military band kicked off rounds of the Holy See and Italian anthems, reported AP.
Pope Francis waves from balcony on Easter Sunday
Pope Francis waved from the balcony as a Vatican archbishop read aloud his speech, a global appeal for peace in the world’s hotspots that is the hallmark of the Vatican’s Easter celebrations.
