His hospital stay of several days had recently caused a stir.
But now there was an atmospheric Easter Mass with Pope Francis.
Easter celebrations
in the
Vatican
: Mass overshadowed by the Ukraine war
Pope Francis
at
Easter
: Church leader warns of "rampant injustice"
Worship service
on
Holy Saturday
: Pope Francis preaches a seated sermon
Update from April 9, 11:59 a.m .
: Around 45,000 believers came: Pope Francis celebrated the traditional Easter Mass on St. Peter’s Square in Rome.
The head of the Catholic Church officially before her, but she was celebrated by Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals.
This was announced by the Holy See.
Pope Francis followed the Mass mostly seated.
He was then driven past the crowds in the Popemobile, with great cheers – many believers shouted “Viva il Papa!” (“Long live the Pope!”).
The pontiff will announce his Easter message from the central loggia later this Sunday and will administer the Urbi et Orbi blessing.
Pope Francis in the Vatican: Mass overshadowed by the Ukraine war
First report from April 9th
: Rome – Pope Francis celebrates the Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square in Rome this Sunday (April 9th).
Following this, the head of the 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide announces his traditional Easter message and bestows the blessing "Urbi et Orbi" ("To the city and the world").
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Pope Francis during the Easter Sunday mass at the altar in St. Peter's Square.
© Alessandra Tarantino/AP/dpa
The fair is the highlight of the Easter holidays.
The celebrations in the Vatican and all over the world are again overshadowed by the Ukraine war this year.
The Pope was represented for the first time at the traditional Way of the Cross procession in Rome on Good Friday.
He had just been discharged from the hospital a few days ago because of infectious bronchitis.
On Friday, however, the 86-year-old led the Good Friday liturgy in St. Peter's Basilica.
On Saturday he celebrated Easter Vigil with around 8,000 believers in St. Peter's Basilica.
Pictures of the Ukraine war: great horror and small moments of happiness
Pictures of the Ukraine war: great horror and small moments of happiness
Easter Mass 2023: Francis warns of “rampant injustice”
In his sermon, the head of the Catholic Church castigated the "rampant injustice" and the "icy winds of war" that he says are raging in the world.
However, Easter encourages people and gives them hope.
"It motivates us to move forward, to leave behind the feeling of defeat, and to face the future with confidence because Christ has risen and changed the course of history."
Mass on Easter Saturday: Pope preaches while seated
On the Holy Night before Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his death on the cross.
As usual, Francis baptized eight adults during the Easter Vigil Mass.
Among them were three Albanians, two people from the United States, Nigeria, Venezuela and Italy.
The pontiff followed most of the service from a seated position.
The 86-year-old Argentinian also gave his sermon while sitting on an armchair.
(AFP/dpa/frs)
List of rubrics: © Alessandra Tarantino/AP/dpa