Ailing Pope Francis presided of Easter Mass at Saint Peter’s Square in the Vatican this morning, just days after pulling out of a Good Friday procession in Rome for health reasons.
The 87-year-old Pontiff looked frail this morning as he presided over the mass while tens of thousands of Catholics gathered outside the square to mark Jesus’ resurrection.
The head of the Catholic church arrived in a wheelchair to begin the mass at 10am in cloudy and windy weather as the event was broadcast around the world.
His appearance, however, will provided relief for churchgoers after his last-minute cancellation two days ago sparked renewed fears for his health.
In an unprecedented statement, the Vatican said the Pope would not be joining the procession which is a re-enactment of Jesus’ death by crucifixion, in order to ‘preserve his health’.
The precaution was taken by the Catholic church to ensure that the Pope would be fit for the Easter Vigil, which was held last night, and today’s Easter Sunday Mass.Ailing Pope Francis presided of Easter Mass at Saint Peter’s Square in the Vatican this morningPope Francis attends the Easter Mass, at St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican todayPope Francis attends the Easter Mass at St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican
Yesterday the Pope held the vigil in front of some 6,000 people from around the world. He delivered a 10-minute homily in Italian, speaking without any undue difficulty and condemning ‘the walls of selfishness and indifference’ in the world.
At the end of the two-and-a-half-hour service he showed little sign of fatigue, taking time to greet and bless some of the worshippers.
In a brief statement Friday, the Vatican had said that ‘to preserve his health ahead of tomorrow’s vigil and the Easter Sunday mass, Pope Francis will this evening follow the Way of the Cross at the Colosseum from the Santa Marta Residence’, where he lives.
The last-minute decision has raised questions about how long Francis can continue to lead the Catholic Church.
A Vatican source aid on Friday that there was ‘no particular concern’ about his health and that the decision to pullout had been ‘simply a measure of caution’.
