- By Aleem Maqbool in Vatican City
- Religion Editor, BBC News
April 9, 2023 at 15:27 CET
Updated 38 minutes ago
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The Pope recently spent some time in the hospital after experiencing breathing difficulties
In the early hours of a stunning Easter morning in Vatican City, thousands of people from around the world waited to be admitted to Pope Francis’ Mass in St. Peter’s Square.
When access was opened, nuns and priests were among those who ran to secure a good vantage point in a square decorated with almost 40,000 flowers donated by the Netherlands.
Just a few days ago, you may have had doubts as to whether 86-year-old Pope Francis would be well enough to attend Holy Week events at all.
Since his release after allegedly suffering from bronchitis, Pope Francis has managed to fulfill most of his obligations and to preside at Mass on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
But for the first time since becoming pope in 2013, he missed the Via Crucis ceremony on Good Friday evening at the Colosseum in Rome, which commemorates the last hours of Jesus’ life.
Elsewhere throughout the week, the pope appeared tired and at times breathless.
It all meant that many who came to St. Peter’s Square today spoke of their concerns about what the Pope might look and sound like.
In the end, he showed himself carefree through the 75-minute mass.
But immediately afterwards he seemed particularly energized as he wheeled his wheelchair past a line of cardinals to greet, smile and speak to them before climbing to his open-topped vehicle to wave to the crowd.
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Tens of thousands of people flocked to St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday to hear the Pope’s mass
“The Pope looked really healthy,” said Sally, who was visiting with her husband and two children from Maidenhead, UK.
“The crowd encouraged him but he looked happy and it was great to see him in good spirits.”
Eliana, from Liguria, north-west Italy, said: “I was very worried when he was in hospital and I kept myself updated because he is so special.
“He wanted to fulfill all his commitments for this Holy Week and when you see him here you can see how strong he is.”
The latest of these engagements was an appearance on the main balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to deliver his Urbi and Orbi blessing – for The City and the World.
Pope Francis has been criticized by some Ukrainians in the past for appearing to confuse their suffering with that of the Russians.
He prayed “to help the beloved Ukrainian people on their way to peace” and “to cast the Easter lights on the Russian people”.
And with that, as he faded from view of the estimated 100,000 who had come to see him, Pope Francis had successfully negotiated the toughest week on his calendar.