By Abiola Olawale
On Easter Sunday, Pope Francis, aged 88, made an appearance at St. Peter’s Basilica, warmly greeting thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
Despite his ongoing recovery from a severe bout of double pneumonia, the pontiff delivered the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing, spreading messages of peace and hope.
This significant public moment, one of his first since his hospital release in March, elicited thousands of Catholics who came to St Peter’s Basilica hoping to see the Pope.
Pope Francis, visibly frail and using a wheelchair, emerged on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to cheers and applause from an estimated 35,000 pilgrims.
His voice, weakened by recent health struggles, carried a simple yet powerful message: “Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!”
An aide read the remainder of his Urbi et Orbi address, which called for ceasefires in global conflicts, including Ukraine and Gaza, and emphasized freedom of religion and respect for diverse views.
Unlike previous years, the Pope did not lead the Easter Mass, delegating the role to Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the retired archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Pope Francis’ appearance comes after a five-week hospitalization for double pneumonia, described by sources as “near-fatal.”
Since his discharge on March 23, 2025, the Vatican has reported gradual improvements in his respiratory function, mobility, and voice, with reduced reliance on supplemental oxygen.
Despite medical advice to avoid crowds, Francis has made several unscheduled outings, including a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica on April 10, where he appeared without his traditional papal attire and a meeting with United States Vice President JD Vance on Easter Sunday.
Also, for the first time since his 2013 election, Francis missed most Holy Week events, including the Easter Vigil.
He missed the majority of Holy Week events, such as Friday’s Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum and Saturday’s Easter vigil at Saint Peter’s Basilica, where he delegated his duties to cardinals.
