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Pope Francis, who is struggling with his health, presided over an Easter vigil lasting more than two hours in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome on Saturday. At Easter Mass on Sunday, he made a plea for an end to the wars in Gaza and Ukraine.
On Friday, the Pope skipped the traditional Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum in Rome at the last minute “to protect his health”, but on Saturday evening he did attend the Easter vigil. The 87-year-old prelate arrived in a wheelchair due to his bad knees to lead the celebration that lasted at least two hours.
According to the Reuters news agency, the Pope appeared out of breath at times, but he did read all the prepared texts. On previous occasions that task was sometimes taken over from him. As he left the basilica – again in a wheelchair – he smiled and waved to those present. The Easter vigil was attended by some 6,000 believers from all over the world.
In his homily, the pope encouraged Christians to maintain their faith, even when faced with sadness, fear or other setbacks. He spoke, among other things, of “the rubber walls of selfishness and indifference that hold us back from building more just and humane cities and societies,” as well as “our pursuits for peace being shattered by vicious hatred and brutal wars.”
On Sunday morning, the Pope was again ready for the traditional Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Square and the pronouncement of Urbi et Orbi (for the city and the world). The ceremony is broadcast worldwide to some 1.3 billion believers. In his Easter message, the Pope again referred to the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. He called for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the hostages by Hamas. “Peace is not made with weapons,” the Pope said.
