Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Pope Francis presides over Easter Sunday Mass

POSTED ON March 31, 2024 •   Metro      BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara •   VIEWS 149
Pope Francis (Credit: AFP)

Pope Francis on Sunday gave Easter Mass with tens of thousands of Catholics at Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City before his traditional blessing, as concerns persist over his health.

The 87-year-old arrived in a wheelchair to preside over the mass from 10:00 am (0800 GMT) in cloudy and windy weather, with the events broadcast live around the globe.

France will pronounce the “Urbi et Orbi” (To the City and the World) blessing at midday where he is expected to bring up the international conflicts raging worldwide.

Easter Sunday marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is the culmination of Holy Week, a major part of the Catholic calendar followed by 1.3 billion people.

The pope on Saturday presided over the Easter Vigil at the Vatican in front of some 6,000 people from around the world, a day after his last-minute cancellation at a major Good Friday procession revived questions about his health.

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.

Health Concerns 

The last-minute decision raised questions about how long Francis can continue to lead the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis Cheering the church on wheelchair
Caption: Pope Francis (Credit: AFP)

A Vatican source told AFP on Friday there was “no particular concern” about his health and the decision to pull out had been “simply a measure of caution”.

The Argentinian Jesuit had also cancelled his participation in the “Via Crucis” in 2023, but that followed a three-day hospital stay for bronchitis, and was announced well ahead of time. Weeks later, he underwent a hernia operation.

Up until Friday, the pope had attended his various engagements throughout the week, but he recently appeared tired and has sometimes delegated speaking roles to colleagues.

Francis, who never takes holidays, made his last trip in September, to the southern French city of Marseille. In December, he cancelled a much-anticipated attendance at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai.

His next scheduled trip is to Venice on April 28. The Vatican has not yet confirmed a planned trip to Asia and Pacific Ocean nations for this summer.

Francis has previously left the door open to stepping down if he can no longer do the job. That would follow the example of his immediate predecessor, Benedict XVI, who in 2013 became the first pope since the Middle Ages to voluntarily step aside.

But in a memoir published this month, Francis wrote that he did “not have any cause serious enough to make me think of resigning”.

AFP

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Indianapolis Woman Dies in I-65 Accident Near Columbus After Return from Kentucky Event
BY ROCKETPARROT.com staff November 3, 2024 0

COLUMBUS, Ind. — A tragic accident claimed the life of Indianapolis resident Omotope G. Oyedir...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Court jails UNIPORT final-year student over internet fraud
BY Benedicta Bassey October 31, 2024 0

University of Port Harcourt(UNIPORT) final-year student, Henry Nathaniel Ekanem has been jailed over...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Bandits take over military training camp in Niger
BY Benedicta Bassey October 30, 2024 0

Bandits have reportedly taken over Niger State military training camp at Nagwamase Military Cantonme...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Many dead bodies recovered as flood hits South-Eastern Spain
BY Benedicta Bassey October 30, 2024 0

The Leader, Valencia region, Carlo Mazon said on Wednesday that several bodies have been recovered f...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
RCCG suspends pastors over homosexuality allegations
BY Benedicta Bassey October 30, 2024 0

The Redeemed Christian Church of God has announced the suspension of two ministers — Pastor Ay...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
150  sustain injury in India fireworks accident
BY Benedicta Bassey October 29, 2024 0

No fewer than 150 people were seriously injured in a fireworks accident during a temple festiva...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
VeryDarkMan petitions Abia Rep Ikwechegh for assaulting an Uber driver
BY Ebiakuboere England October 28, 2024 0

Social media critic Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, has petitioned Federal House of Represe...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Blue Line rail resumes operation after fire incident - Authority
BY Benedicta Bassey October 28, 2024 0

After a major fire outbreak at a section of the rail track on Saturday, the Lagos Metropolitan Area...

OUR CHANNELS:

OTHER ARTICLES ::

5th November, 2024
Economic Showdown: Atiku's Critique vs. Tinubu's Policies A Leadership Divide
BY ROCKETPARROT.com staff November 5, 2024 0

In a recent exchange highlighting the growing tensions in Nigeria's political landscape, former Vice...


Indianapolis Woman Dies in I-65 Accident Near Columbus After Return from Kentucky Event
BY ROCKETPARROT.com staff November 5, 2024 0

COLUMBUS, Ind. — A tragic accident claimed the life of Indianapolis resident Omotope G. Oyedir...


Adriano's Decline: From Football Glory to Favela Streets
BY ROCKETPARROT.com staff November 5, 2024 0

Health concerns arise as a recent video surfaces showing Adriano, the former Inter Milan and Brazil...


Proposed tax reform bills not against North, says Presidency
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara November 5, 2024 0

The Presidency has said contrary to job loss fears and perceived marginalisation of the North, the t...


Kaduna approves N72,000 minimum wage
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara November 5, 2024 0

The Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has approved a new minimum wage of N72,000 for civil servants i...


Man Utd seal deal with Amorim as new manager — Report
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara November 5, 2024 0

Manchester United has finalised an agreement with Sporting Lisbon to appoint 39-year-old Ruben Amori...


Nile Group collaborates with Ooni of Ife to manage his theaters
BY Ebiakuboere England November 5, 2024 0

His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, and Nile Cinemas have inked a historic management contract fo...


Bruno Mars tops Spotify monthly listeners record
BY Ebiakuboere England November 5, 2024 0

Grammy-winning singer Bruno Mars has broken the previous record with 120,862,858 monthly Spotify lis...


South Africa to strip Chidimma Adetshina of ID documents
BY Ebiakuboere England November 5, 2024 0

Nigerian-South African Model Chidimma Adetshina faces the possibility of losing her national documen...


Senate confirms seven ministerial nominees
BY Benedicta Bassey November 5, 2024 0

The Senate has screened and confirmed seven ministerial nominees appointed by President Bola Ahmed T...


Menu