On Saturday evening, Pope Francis participated in the Easter Vigil at the Vatican, despite missing a Good Friday service the day before to preserve his health. Despite appearing raspy and out of breath at times, the 87-year-old pontiff delivered a 10-minute homily and baptized eight adults at St. Peter’s Basilica. He entered the basilica in a wheelchair, took his place in a chair, and began with an opening prayer. Around 6,000 people gathered in Vatican City for the occasion.
In his homily, Pope Francis spoke out against the “walls of selfishness and indifference” in the world, as well as the destruction of peace by hatred and war. He also talked about the resurrection of Christ, urging Catholics to remove the stones in their lives that block the door of their hearts and prevent hope and life. He encouraged everyone to turn to Christ and ask for the power of his resurrection to remove the heavy stones weighing down their souls.
Pope Francis is expected to preside over the Easter Mass on Sunday and give the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” blessing. Health concerns have arisen as the pontiff has had one lung removed in his youth and has needed a wheelchair or cane due to a knee ailment. However, in a memoir published earlier in
