Pope Francis Set to Join Easter Mass After Near-Death Health Scare
Pope Francis is expected to take part in Easter Sunday celebrations at the Vatican, just weeks after surviving a life-threatening bout of pneumonia that left him hospitalized for over a month.
The 88-year-old pontiff, who was discharged on March 23 after a 38-day hospital stay, has been steadily recovering, though his voice remains noticeably weak. Despite his fragile condition, the Pope is likely to deliver the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” blessing from the balcony overlooking Saint Peter’s Square at midday (1000 GMT), a cherished Easter ritual for Catholics around the globe.
While the Vatican has yet to confirm his full participation, the Holy See’s press office suggested his presence will depend on how he feels on the day. In recent public appearances, Pope Francis has been seen without the nasal cannula previously used for oxygen support, a sign of improved health. However, he may still delegate parts of the Easter message, which typically touches on global conflicts and humanitarian issues.
This year’s Holy Week marks the first time since his 2013 election that Pope Francis missed major events, including Good Friday’s Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum and the Easter Vigil at Saint Peter’s Basilica. Cardinals stood in for him during these observances, though the Pope made a brief appearance at the Basilica on Saturday to greet pilgrims — a gesture that sparked renewed hope among the faithful.
Sunday’s Mass will see over 300 cardinals, bishops, and priests in attendance. Saint Peter’s Square, adorned with thousands of flowers, is expected to draw even larger crowds than usual due to the Jubilee Year — a “Holy Year” held once every 25 years that brings waves of pilgrims to Rome.
Adding diplomatic weight to the occasion, U.S. Vice President JD Vance is also in Rome and met on Saturday with top Vatican officials, including Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher.
Throughout Holy Week, Pope Francis followed strict medical advice to rest. His only official engagement was a quiet visit to a Roman prison, where he omitted the traditional foot-washing ceremony out of caution. When asked afterward how he was experiencing Easter amid his recovery, the Pope smiled and said in a raspy voice, “I am living it as best I can.”
Vatican sources revealed that the pontiff’s recent illness brought him close to death twice, underscoring the gravity of his condition and making his anticipated appearance on Easter Sunday even more significant.
This year’s Easter carries added symbolism as Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox Christians all celebrate the resurrection on the same weekend — a rare alignment that offers a unique moment of unity across Christian denominations.
