Pope Francis, pushed in a wheelchair, entered St. Peter's Basilica where this evening he presides over the solemn Easter Vigil of the Holy Night.
The Rite begins in the atrium of the Basilica with the blessing of the fire and the preparation of the Paschal candle. The procession towards the Altar, with the lit Paschal candle and the singing of the Exsultet, is followed by the Liturgy of the Word and the Baptismal Liturgy, during which the Pope administers the sacrament of Christian initiation to eight adult neophytes: four Italians, two Koreans, a Japanese and an Albanian.
During the liturgy, in addition to baptism, the octocatechumens also receive confirmation and first communion.
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