Vatican City (AP) – Pope Francis emerged from his convalescence on Easter Sunday to bless thousands of people in Saint-Pierre square and offer them to a surprise potemobile game through piazza, attracting wild cheers and applause when he continues to restore an almost deadly fight of double pneumonia.
“Viva Il Dad!” (Long live the pope), “Bravo!” The crowd shouted while Francis completed through the place in his open top Popemobile, then from top to bottom of the main avenue which led it. He stopped occasionally to bless the babies who were raised to him, a scene that was common in the past but unthinkable just a few weeks ago while the 88 -year -old pope fought for his life.
“Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!” Francis said that his voice sounded stronger than it has been since he was released from hospital on March 23 after a five -week stay.
Francis did not celebrate the Easter Mass of Piazza, delegating it to Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the retired archperies of the Saint-Pierre basilica. But after the end of the mass, Francis appeared on the Loggia balcony on the entrance to the basilica for more than 20 minutes and conferred the apostolic blessing in Latin.
The crowd of inferior people, estimated by the Vatican at more than 35,000, broke out in applause while a military group launched rounds from the Hymn of Saint-Siège.
In all, Francis was outside by a sunny spring day for about 50 minutes, with temperatures at 21 degrees Celsius (70 Fahrenheit) in a piazza flooded with jaws, tulips and other flowers given by the Netherlands for Easter.
“It’s excellent, a miracle,” said Margarita Torres Hernandez, a pilgrim from Mexico who was in the place. “Now that he has come out, for me, it’s a miracle, it’s something very tall, very beautiful.”
The pope briefly met the American vice-president Vance
On his way to the basilica, Francis met briefly in his hotel with the American vice-president JD Vance, who passed Easter in Rome with his family. The Vatican said the meeting lasted Just a few minutes And was designed to allow an exchange of Easter greetings.
Francis, for his part, gave Vance three large chocolate Easter eggs to give to his three young children.
“I know you didn’t feel good, but it’s good to see you in better health,” said Vance to the Pope. “Thank you for seeing me.
Francis recovers from a long stay in the hospital
Francis only appeared in the public a handle Since his return to the Vatican after a 38 -day hospital stay. He jumped the solemn services from Good Friday and Saturday Saint leading to Easter, but he had to make an appearance on Sunday.
Doctors prescribed two months of convalescence and respiratory therapy to improve its pulmonary function after falling with a deadly case of double pneumonia. It always seems to require great efforts to project his voice and his breathing remains laborious. But his voice sounded stronger than it has done to date in the few words he has pronounced from the Loggia.
“It was a very touching moment for us (to see the Pope),” said Marcin Popowsky, a pilgrim from Poland. “And we are very happy that we can see a Pope in good shape.”
Easter is a moment of joy for Christians
Easter is the happiest moment in the liturgical Christian calendar, when the faithful celebrate the resurrection of Christ after his crucifixion. This year, Easter is celebrated the same day by Catholics and Orthodox Christians, and was marked by Russia announced temporary Easter truce In his war in Ukraine.
Easter to the Vatican traditionally involves a mass and the Pope Urbi and Orbi Injustance (Latin for “in the city and the world”), a pronounced papal discourse of loggia which is generally an overview of hotties and world human sufferings.
In the speech, read by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, master of liturgical ceremonies, Francis called peace in Gaza and Ukraine, as well as in Congo and Myanmar and other hot spots. And he made a special appeal for migrants and people affected by violence.
“How much contempt is sometimes stirred towards vulnerable, marginalized and migrants!” The message indicated. “That day, I would like us to hope for again and to revive our confidence in others, including those who are different from ourselves, or who come from distant lands, bringing customs, lifestyles and unknown ideas! For all of us, we are children of God! ”
Before Sunday, the biggest outing of Francis had been a visit to the prison in downtown Rome to pass Holy Thursday with prisoners. The visit clearly indicated his priorities as he recovers slowly: spending time with the most on the sidelines.
___
The coverage of religion associated with the press receives support through the AP collaboration With the conversation us, with the financing of Lilly Endowment Inc., the AP is solely responsible for this content.
