Pope Francis. Credit Line: Filippo Monteforte / AFP / Profimedia
Pope Francis is expected, on Sunday, by Catholics around the world for Easter celebration. In convalescence after having several health problems, he could go out on the balcony of Saint Peter at 1:00 pm, according to News.ro, which quotes AFP.
Every year of Easter, considered the most important holiday, the Pope, offers the traditional blessing “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world), transmitted throughout the world.
The press office of the Holy See said that Pope Francis, 88, intends to participate, but did not confirm this, specifying that it will depend on its health and weather. If it appears, it is expected to delegate the reading of his text.
For the first time since its choice in 2013, the Pope missed most of the events of the Holy Week, including the Road of the Cross in Colosseum, on Friday, and the Easter Vigil on Saturday night.
On Saturday afternoon, shortly before the start of the job, he had a brief public appearance in Saint Peter's Basilica, where he prayed in front of an icon of the Virgin Mary, before greeting the believers and dividing sweets.
Pope could meet JD Vance
The Passover Liturgy started at 11:30 in Saint Peter Square. About 300 priests, bishops and cardinals participate in it. Christians around the world celebrate Easter on the same day this year, because the Gregorian calendar, followed by Catholics and Protestants, and the Julian calendar, followed by Orthodox, coincide.
Pope Francis could also meet with US Vice-President JD Vance, who was received on Saturday by Cardinal Parolin. A reception at the Pontiff is not planned because it continues to recover after being discharged on March 23, after 38 days in Gemelli Hospital for bilateral pneumonia.
However, the surprises are not excluded, as was the case for the greeting that Pope Francis addressed to the king and queen of the United Kingdom, Charles III and Camilla, during their official visit to Italy.
Another opportunity for a brief greeting could be Sunday, when the Liturgy on Easter Sunday is performed, to which Vance with the family could participate.
JD Vance participated on Friday. At the service of the Great Friday dedicated to the passions of the Lord in the Basilica of St. Peter, in which the Holy Father did not participate. He participated in the ceremony accompanied by his wife, Usha, and their three children.
