In brief Easter appearance at Vatican, Pope Francis urges Gaza ceasefire

aljazeera.comPublished: 4/20/2025

Summary

Pope Francis faced significant health challenges before addressing thousands at St. Peter’s Square during an Easter mass, where he called for a ceasefire in Gaza. Despite recovering from pneumonia and undergoing convalescence, he appeared briefly, including visiting a Rome prison without performing a traditional foot-washing ritual. The Vatican also reported that the pope's deteriorating health raised questions about his adherence to medical advice. Additionally, Francis exchanged Easter greetings with Vice President JD Vance, who faced criticism for attempting to justify immigration policies using medieval teachings.