Pope Francis presides over the Easter Vigil after being absent from the Stations of the Cross for health reasons. The Vatican decided at the last minute that the 87-year-old pontiff would not attend the Good Friday procession at the Colosseum.
Francisco, 87, who had part of his lung removed in his youth, has suffered breathing problems throughout the winter. The pope is due to celebrate a morning Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square and deliver his Urbi et Orbi (to Rome and the world) speech.