Pope Francis led Easter celebrations in St. Peter’s Square despite his frail health, drawing a massive crowd. Appearing in a wheelchair after recovering from life-threatening pneumonia, he delivered a brief greeting before Archbishop Ravelli addressed the faithful. The pope blessed those present, and the crowd erupted with cheers and chants of “Viva il papa” as he waved farewell.
Pope Francis, despite his recent health struggles, greeted tens of thousands of adoring faithful in St. Peter’s Square with a heartfelt Easter message, his weakest voice nevertheless resonating with hope and joy as he blessed the crowd before departing on a wheelchair. The crowd erupted into cheers when he emerged from the balcony, greeted them warmly, and then waved goodbye as Archbishop Diego Ravelli read his papal address—a rare first-time appearance for the pope marking both an opportunity to reflect on the past year and a chance to inspire new generations of Catholics.