‘Happy Easter’: Pope Francis delights crowd with special appearance at Vatican City

Pope Francis was applauded by thousands of worshippers at Vatican City on Easter Sunday as he addressed the crowd. See the pictures.

Pope Francis was applauded by thousands of worshippers at Vatican City on Easter Sunday as he addressed the crowd after recovering from his ongoing health battle.

The 88-year-old pontiff arrived on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica in a wheelchair and his public appearance comes after he spent five weeks in Rome’s Gemelli hospital battling serious illness including double pneumonia and bronchitis.

Looking frail, he read a short message of hope to those who turned out to the Easter Sunday service and told the crowd: “Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter.”

Pope Francis bestows the Urbi et Orbi (Latin for to the city and to the world) blessing from the central lodge of St. Peter's Basilica at the end of the Easter mass presided over by Cardinal Angelo Comastri in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Sunday, April 20, 2025. Picture: AP Photo/Andrew Medichini

The traditional Easter message that he usually reads to worshippers was then delivered by a clergy member.

“There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and respect for the views of others,” the clergy member said.

On Easter Sunday US vice president JD Vance also met with Pope Francis but the American leaders’s office would not give details of the meeting.

Francis has previously been critical of the Trump administration’s tough stance on immigration.

The pontiff was also driven around St Peter’s Basilica in the popemobile on Sunday as many onlookers waved and took photos of him.

Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the popemobile after the Easter mass, at St Peter's square in the Vatican on April 20, 2025. Picture: Tiziana Fabi / AFP

During his five-week stay in hospital serious concerns were raised about his worsening health condition and he was deemed at some stages to be in a “critical condition”.

He was receiving oxygen to help with ongoing breathing issues but he was discharged from the medical facility on March 23.

Pope Francis stands on the main balcony of St. Peter's basilica during the Urbi et Orbi message and blessing to the city and the world as part of Easter celebrations, at St Peter's square in the Vatican on April 20, 2025. Picture: Tiziana Fabi / AFP

This year is a jubilee year for the Catholic Church – a special year of forgiveness and reconciliation – and when Catholics are given the opportunity to strengthen their relationship with their religious faith.

Last week the pontiff posted a heartfelt message on social media thanking those who had prayed for him while he was fighting serious illness.

I thank you very much for your prayers. I too am praying for you, and I ask you to entrust all those who suffer to the Lord together with me, especially those affected by war, poverty or natural disasters. #Angelus

— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) April 13, 2025

“I thank you very much for your prayers. I too am praying for you, and I ask you to entrust all those who suffer to the Lord together with me, especially those affected by war, poverty or natural disasters. #Angelus,” he said.

Pope Francis appears on the central lodge of St. Peter's Basilica to bestow the Urbi et Orbi (Latin for to the city and the world) blessing at the end of the Easter mass presided over by Cardinal Angelo Comastri in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Sunday, April 20, 2025. Picture: AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia

He also held a private meeting this month with King Charles and Queen Camilla when the pair visited Italy for a four-day state visit.

The planned meeting between them was initially postponed due to Francis’s ill health but this changed when the royals visited him on the third day of their Italian tour.

Originally published as ‘Happy Easter’: Pope Francis delights crowd with special appearance at Vatican City