Pope Francis is expected to bring joy to Catholics worldwide during Easter celebrations at the Vatican on Sunday, just weeks after battling for his life in hospital with pneumonia.
The ailing 88-year-old pontiff has been recovering since his discharge from the hospital on March 23, following a 38-day stay for treatment.
He is anticipated to deliver the “Urbi et Orbi” benediction from a balcony overlooking Saint Peter’s Square at midday (1000GMT) on Sunday, the most significant Christian celebration.
The Holy See’s press service has indicated Francis’s likely presence at the Easter events, though without confirming his participation, emphasizing that it depends on his health.
His voice remains weak, despite improvements in his breathing, allowing him to appear publicly twice in the past week without the nasal cannula for oxygen.
He may delegate the reading of his Easter message, which typically reflects on global conflicts and crises, to another person.
For the first time since his election in 2013, the spiritual leader of 1.4 billion Catholics missed most Holy Week events, including Friday’s Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum and Saturday’s Easter vigil at Saint Peter’s Basilica, where he delegated duties to cardinals.
However, he made a brief appearance at Saint Peter’s on Saturday to greet visitors.
Approximately 300 cardinals, bishops, and priests will attend Sunday’s Easter Mass at Saint Peter’s Square, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, adorned with thousands of flowers.
Organizers expect larger crowds than usual due to the Jubilee, a “Holy Year” in the Catholic Church occurring every quarter-century, attracting numerous pilgrims to Rome.
The presence of US Vice President JD Vance in Rome this weekend is also noteworthy.
He held talks on Saturday with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Secretary for Relations with States Paul Richard Gallagher.
This follows a recent dispute between Francis and the Trump administration over anti-migrant policies.
Neither the Vatican nor the vice president’s office has commented on a potential meeting between Francis and Vance, but the Easter Mass could provide an opportunity.
Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, presided over Saturday night’s Easter vigil at Saint Peter’s Basilica in place of the Argentine pontiff.
Francis, advised to rest for two months and avoid public duties, had only one official engagement this Holy Week: a visit to a Rome prison.
He also missed the traditional foot-washing ritual, symbolizing Jesus Christ’s washing of his disciples’ feet.
When asked about his feelings regarding this Easter Week in his current condition, the smiling pope replied in a weak, raspy voice: “I am living it as best I can.”
Francis, already weakened by prior health issues, was twice near death during his recent illness.
This year’s Easter is unique as it coincides for both the Catholic and Protestant branches of Christianity, following the Gregorian calendar, and the Orthodox branch, following the Julian calendar.
