Pope Francis Powerfully Leads Easter Vigil Mass Despite Health Concerns and Frailty

Pope Francis presided over a more than 2-hour Easter Vigil Mass in St Peter's Basilica, one of the longest services in Catholic liturgy. Despite renewed concerns about his frail condition, the 87-year-old pontiff soldiered through the Mass.

Physical Challenges

His voice sounded raspy and at times, he appeared out of breath. However, Pope Francis managed to read out all of his prepared texts, including a more than one-page long homily. At the end of the service, he smiled and waved at the congregation as he left in a wheelchair.

Health Concerns

The pope's decision to navigate the Mass in a wheelchair followed his last-minute cancellation of the night-time Via Crucis procession at Rome's Colosseum on Friday. The Vatican cited "health preservation" as the reason for this unexpected change, which came after weeks of the pope limiting his public speaking and cancelling engagements due to colds, bronchitis, and the flu.

Physical Limitations

In addition to his recent illnesses, the pope also struggles with a knee ailment, which restricts his mobility. This often leads him to use a wheelchair or a cane, as was the case during the Easter Vigil Mass.

Holy Week Celebrations

Holy Week culminates in Easter Sunday, the most significant celebration in the Christian calendar, marking the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The Easter Vigil Mass, attended by about 6,000 people, symbolized the transition from darkness to light, representing Jesus' resurrection.

Message of Faith

During his homily, Pope Francis urged Christians to maintain their faith even in the face of adversity, referencing "the rubber walls of selfishness and indifference" that hinder efforts to build just and humane societies, as well as the "cruel hatred and the brutality of war" that shatter aspirations for peace.