Pope Francis appeared before thousands of faithful Catholics in St. Peter's Square on Easter Sunday, despite the 88-year-old pontiff's frail health, which kept him away from most Holy Week events.
Happy Easter," the Argentine pontiff said in a weak voice from his wheelchair on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica to the delight of tens of thousands of faithful and others in the flower-filled square.
Traditionally, the Pope pronounces his blessing "Urbi et Orbi" ("To the city and the world") from the balcony overlooking St Peter's Square, but today he gave the task to an assistant, AFP reported.
Pope Francis condemned the "dramatic and abhorrent humanitarian situation" in Gaza, while warning against the "growing climate of anti-Semitism that is spreading throughout the world" on the occasion of the Easter holidays.
"I call on the belligerents to cease fire, release the hostages and provide precious aid to the starving people who yearn for a peaceful future," the pontiff added.
"Peace is not possible where there is no religious freedom or freedom of thought and expression," he added.
The Argentine pope urged political leaders "not to succumb to the logic of fear that imprisons" and to "break down the barriers that create divisions," reiterating his call for disarmament.
He also appealed to "find a solution for reconciliation in the Western Balkans, and to support politicians in their efforts to avoid an escalation of tensions and crises", and for "partners in the region to reject dangerous and destabilising behaviour".
Given his delicate state of health following treatment for pneumonia, it was uncertain whether the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics would attend and, if so, in what capacity.
In the end, the pope did appear.
Shortly before, he held a brief private meeting with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who was visiting Rome with his family.
"The meeting, which lasted a few minutes, provided an opportunity to exchange greetings on the occasion of Easter Sunday," the Vatican said.
The meeting took place at the Pope's residence shortly before 11:30 a.m. local time (12:30 p.m. Bulgarian time).
They held the conversation months after the rift between Pope Francis and US President Donald Trump's administration over its anti-immigrant policies. | BGNES