Pope Francis, still recovering from a severe bout of pneumonia, appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome on Easter Sunday to deliver his traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing.
The 88-year-old pope, who received loud applause, was brought onto the balcony in a wheelchair and spoke in a frail voice, extending Easter greetings to the thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
Due to his weakened state, the Pope had a staff member continue with the rest of his message, addressing the “dramatic and appalling humanitarian situation” in the Gaza Strip and warning against “the climate of increasing antisemitism spreading worldwide.”
He urged the conflicting parties in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to “cease hostilities, release hostages, and provide vital aid to the starving population yearning for a future of peace.”
Related News
- Recovering pope takes wheelchair ride and greets faithful
- Convalescent Pope writes appeal to live Lent 'as time of healing'
- US Vice-President JD Vance received at Vatican
Pope Francis also called on world leaders to “not succumb to the logic of fear that traps people” and urged them to “dismantle barriers that create division.”
After the blessing, Francis mingled with the faithful in St. Peter’s Square using the popemobile.
The Pope was discharged from the hospital about a month ago, and, due to his health condition, there were uncertainties about whether he would be able to deliver the Urbi et Orbi blessing. During the Easter Mass, Italian Cardinal Angelo Comastri officiated in his place.
