Overview

• Pope Francis appeared on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at noon for the Easter Urbi et Orbi blessing, his first major public engagement since his hospitalization.
• The pope, visibly weakened and in a wheelchair, delegated the reading of his message to a collaborator but delivered a brief greeting and blessing in Latin.
• In his message, he called for a ceasefire in Gaza, condemned the humanitarian crisis there, and warned against the global rise of antisemitism.
• The pontiff held a brief, unscheduled meeting with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance to exchange Easter greetings, highlighting ongoing Vatican diplomacy.
• This Easter marks a significant moment in the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, drawing record numbers of pilgrims to Rome despite concerns over the pope's health.