Health Concerns Remained... Pope Francis Presides Over Easter Vigil Mass

10-minute sermon in Italian
Did not attend Good Friday 'Way of the Cross' ceremony the day before

Pope Francis, who has recently raised health concerns, presided over the Easter Vigil Mass on the evening of the Holy Saturday, the eve of Easter Sunday, on the 30th (local time) at the Vatican. After the ceremony of lighting candles in the dark, the Pope delivered a 10-minute homily in Italian and spoke without major difficulty.

Pope Francis is celebrating the Easter Vigil Mass at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on the 30th (local time).
[Photo by Vatican AP/Yonhap News]

According to foreign media including AFP, the Pope arrived in a wheelchair around 7:30 p.m. at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican to preside over the Easter Vigil Mass attended by thousands from around the world. The Holy See had previously announced that the Pope would attend this Mass.

The Pope expressed opposition to the world's "walls of selfishness and indifference" and lamented the "broken hopes for peace due to the cruelty of hatred and the savagery of war." Afterwards, he baptized eight saints.

The 87-year-old Pope has recently suffered from a cold and bronchitis. As a result, he canceled some schedules or skipped homilies. He did not attend the Good Friday 'Way of the Cross' procession held at the Roman Colosseum the day before. The Way of the Cross ceremony is a prayer service reflecting on the events from Jesus being sentenced to death to carrying the cross to Golgotha.

Pope Francis waves to the faithful after celebrating the Easter Vigil Mass at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on the 30th (local time).
Photo by AP/Yonhap News, Vatican

The Pope was originally expected to preside over the Way of the Cross procession and meditation, which reenacts Jesus' crucifixion and martyrdom, but just before the event started, the Holy See announced that the Pope would hold the event at the Vatican residence.

Regarding this, a Vatican source told AFP, "There is no special concern about his health," and explained that the Pope's absence from the Good Friday event was a "simple precaution." Pope Francis also missed the Way of the Cross procession last year due to health concerns. At that time, the Holy See cited the outdoor event being held in colder weather than usual as a consideration.

The Holy Week, starting with Palm Sunday and continuing through Easter Sunday on the 31st, is recognized as the most important period in Catholicism, and the ceremonies are densely scheduled.

On the 28th (local time), Pope Francis visited Rebibbia Prison in Rome, Italy, and kissed the feet of inmates during the Holy Thursday foot-washing ceremony.
[Photo by the Vatican]

Earlier, on Holy Thursday the 28th, the Pope entered the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican leaning on a cane instead of using a wheelchair during the Wednesday General Audience, and greeted the faithful in a noticeably healthier condition while reading from a prepared script.

On the same day, he also visited a prison on the outskirts of Rome and personally washed the feet of inmates in the foot-washing ceremony. Before the Wednesday General Audience, he received audiences with heads of families from Israel and Palestine who each lost a daughter in the conflict between the two countries.

On the 31st, the Easter Sunday Mass and the 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing (Latin for 'to the city and the world') are scheduled.