Pope Francis wished thousands of believers with “Happy Easter” in the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square.
From the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, the 88-year-old Pope emerged in a wheelchair and waved to the applauding crowds below, saying, “Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter.”
A member of the clergy gave his customary Easter address. The Pope was driven around the square following the blessing. There were several stops in his procession as he made his way through the crowds to bless babies.
Easter Sunday had been eagerly awaited for his arrival. After five weeks of therapy for an infection that resulted in double pneumonia, he was released from the hospital last month.
“There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and respect for the views of others,” the pope remarked in his Easter blessing, which was given by a member of the clergy while the pope sat looking frail next to him.
In the speech, the Pope remarked, “What a great thirst for death, for killing we see in the many conflicts raging in different parts of the world.”
The fighting “causes death and destruction” and created a “deplorable humanitarian situation,” thus the Pope remembered the people of Gaza, especially its Christian population.
In addition, the Pope urged all sides in the conflict in Ukraine to “pursue efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace.” The Pope has been spotted twice this week before Sunday’s celebrations.
During this unique jubilee year, which occurs every 25 years and sees millions of pilgrims flock to the city, tens of thousands of Catholics had assembled in Rome for Easter Mass.
On December 24, the Pope opened St. Peter’s Basilica’s normally bricked-up Holy Door, marking the beginning of the jubilee year.
He entrusted his responsibilities to cardinals and skipped most of Holy Week events for the first time since he was elected pope in 2013, including Saturday’s Easter vigil at St. Peter’s Basilica.
He did, however, pray and give children sweets during his brief visit inside the basilica that day.
According to his doctors, he would require at least two months of rest at home after he was discharged from the hospital in March.
According to one of the doctors who treated him, the pope experienced “two very critical episodes” during his hospital stay where his “life was in danger.”
“The Pope was never intubated and always remained alert and oriented in the hospital,” Dr. Sergio Alfieri continued.
Pope Francis, who is from Argentina, has had several health problems in his life, including having a portion of his lungs removed when he was 21 years old, which made him more vulnerable to infections.
– Deeprows News
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
