Pope Francis defied health recommendations to bless thousands and deliver poignant messages on humanitarian issues during his final Easter celebration.
Pope Francis: A Final Easter Blessing Amidst Health Struggles
Pope Francis: A Final Easter Blessing Amidst Health Struggles
Pontiff's Easter Address Highlights Global Issues in His Last Public Appearance
April 21, 2025, 6:53 a.m. ET
Pope Francis remained active until the very last days of his life, despite advice from his medical team to rest. On the day before his passing, he met with Vice President JD Vance and delivered a heartfelt Easter blessing to the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square. “It was evident he was battling illness,” Mr. Vance reflected on social media following their meeting.
Quickly managing engagements while recovering from a severe health crisis earlier this year, Pope Francis, 88, showcased his unwavering dedication to his ministry. Just weeks after his release from the hospital, where he narrowly escaped death, he was back in action. Despite doctors’ insistence on a two-month recovery period, the pontiff’s zeal was evident.
On Easter Sunday, following his meeting with Mr. Vance, he addressed a large crowd from a wheelchair, offering a frail but warm greeting: “Dear brothers and sisters, happy Easter,” before issuing his final papal blessings. With voices rising in gratitude, the crowd chanted “Long live the pope,” an affirmation of the affection many felt for him.
In a poignant Easter message, he revisited themes he had spoken about before his hospitalization, critiquing anti-immigrant sentiments and expressing concern for war-torn regions. Directly addressing the alarming situation in Gaza, he called for an immediate cease-fire, voicing specific worries about rising antisemitism and its implications on vulnerable communities.
This speech, his last “Urbi et Orbi” (To the City and the World), served as an urgent reminder of the underlying humanitarian crises around the globe. Following his remarks, he made a final tour of St. Peter’s Square in an open vehicle, greeted by applauding admirers who acknowledged his decades of service and compassion towards the marginalized.
Amelia Nierenberg is a breaking news reporter for The Times in London, covering international news.
Pope Francis remained active until the very last days of his life, despite advice from his medical team to rest. On the day before his passing, he met with Vice President JD Vance and delivered a heartfelt Easter blessing to the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square. “It was evident he was battling illness,” Mr. Vance reflected on social media following their meeting.
Quickly managing engagements while recovering from a severe health crisis earlier this year, Pope Francis, 88, showcased his unwavering dedication to his ministry. Just weeks after his release from the hospital, where he narrowly escaped death, he was back in action. Despite doctors’ insistence on a two-month recovery period, the pontiff’s zeal was evident.
On Easter Sunday, following his meeting with Mr. Vance, he addressed a large crowd from a wheelchair, offering a frail but warm greeting: “Dear brothers and sisters, happy Easter,” before issuing his final papal blessings. With voices rising in gratitude, the crowd chanted “Long live the pope,” an affirmation of the affection many felt for him.
In a poignant Easter message, he revisited themes he had spoken about before his hospitalization, critiquing anti-immigrant sentiments and expressing concern for war-torn regions. Directly addressing the alarming situation in Gaza, he called for an immediate cease-fire, voicing specific worries about rising antisemitism and its implications on vulnerable communities.
This speech, his last “Urbi et Orbi” (To the City and the World), served as an urgent reminder of the underlying humanitarian crises around the globe. Following his remarks, he made a final tour of St. Peter’s Square in an open vehicle, greeted by applauding admirers who acknowledged his decades of service and compassion towards the marginalized.
Amelia Nierenberg is a breaking news reporter for The Times in London, covering international news.
