 "Pope overcomes health concerns to preside over a blustery Easter Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square")
Pope Francis led some 30,000 people in Easter festivities on Sunday, rallying them from a winter-long battle of respiratory issues and strongly advocating for a cease-fire in Gaza and a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine.
After presiding over Easter Sunday Mass in a flower-decked St. Peter’s Square, Francis offered his yearly review of world concerns from the loggia that overlooked the plaza, concluding with an earnest plea for peace. In between, Francis greeted well-wishers by making many laps around the square in his popemobile.
“Peace is never made with weapons, but with outstretched hands and open hearts,” Francis said, to applause from the wind-swept crowd below.
Only hours earlier, Francis had celebrated the two and a half-hour overnight Easter Vigil, yet he looked in fine shape. The pope, who suffered from lung surgery when he was a young man, has struggled with breathing issues this winter.
About 30,000 people, according to the Vatican, attended the Mass, and more were crammed into the Via della Conciliazione, the road that leads to the square. A huge religious image on the altar, positioned only a few steps away from the pope, was toppled by a blast of wind at the beginning of the ceremony; ushers promptly put it upright.
One of the most significant events on the liturgical calendar is Easter Mass, which commemorates what believers believe to be Jesus’ resurrection following his crucifixion. The Mass precedes the pope’s “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) blessing, in which the pope traditionally offers a laundry list of the threats afflicting humanity.
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More ShortsThis year, Francis said his thoughts went particularly to people in Ukraine and Gaza and all those facing war, particularly the children who he said had “forgotten how to smile.”
“In calling for respect for the principles of international law, I express my hope for a general exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine: all for the sake of all!” he said.
He called for the “prompt” release of prisoners taken from Israel on Oct. 7, an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and for humanitarian access to reach Palestinians.
“Let us not allow the current hostilities to continue to have grave repercussions on the civil population, by now at the limit of its endurance, and above all on the children,” he said in a speech that also touched on the plight of Haitians, the Rohingya and victims of human trafficking.
For the past few weeks, Francis has generally avoided delivering long speeches to avoid the strain on his breathing. He ditched his Palm Sunday homily last week and decided at the last minute to stay home from the Good Friday procession at the Colosseum.
The Vatican said in a brief explanation that the decision was made to “conserve his health.”
The decision clearly paid off, as Francis was able to recite the prayers of the lengthy Saturday night Easter Vigil service, including administering the sacraments of baptism and First Communion to eight new Catholics, and preside over Easter Sunday Mass and deliver his speech.
After a busy Holy Week, Francis should have some time to recover as there are no major foreign trips scheduled for several months.
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