In . – 04/17/2022 11:42 (act 04/17/2022 11:42)
Pope Francis celebrated Easter Mass in St Peter’s Square in Rome. ©APA/AFP/TIZIANA FABI
On Sunday, Easter Mass began in front of tens of thousands of faithful and tourists with Pope Francis from St. Peter’s Square in Rome.
The pontiff arrived at Saint Peter’s Square, where a large crowd had gathered since early in the morning, and greeted the pilgrims, who were returning to the celebration after the two failures of Corona in 2020 and 2021.
Pope Francis’ Easter Mass in Rome
Easter Mass in Rome: Urbi et Orbi Easter Blessing at 12pm
After the mass of the most important holiday of the Catholic Church, the pontiff will grant the blessing Urbi et Orbi, that is, the city and the world, from his loggia at 12:00. Francis is expected to take the opportunity to make an appeal for peace again.
For the first time, Pope Francis did not lead the Easter vigil
On Sunday night, Francis attended the Easter vigil in the cathedral. For the first time, the Pope, who suffered from knee and hip pain, was unable to perform the Easter Vigil Mass. Instead, he watched the service from a chair in front of the pews. The main celebrant was Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. Pope Francis himself read the sermon.