On Sunday, tens of thousands of Catholics will congregate in Vatican City’s Saint Peter’s Square to hear Pope Francis celebrate Easter Mass and offer a customary blessing.
The 87-year-old pope will preside over the mass beginning at 10:00 am (0800 GMT), saying the blessing “Urbi et Orbi” (To the City and the World) at midday. The entire event will be televised live for everyone to watch.
Easter Sunday, observed by 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide, commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and brings Holy Week to a close.
The pope on Saturday presided over the Easter Vigil at the Vatican in front of some 6,000 people from around the world, a day after his last-minute cancellation at a major Good Friday procession revived questions about his health.
In a ten-minute homily, Jesus spoke in perfect Italian, denouncing “the walls of selfishness and indifference” that exist in the world.
He didn’t appear to be tired at the end of the two and a half-hour session, taking the time to bless and greet a few of the attendees.
“To preserve his health ahead of tomorrow’s vigil and the Easter Sunday mass, Pope Francis will this evening follow the Way of the Cross at the Colosseum from the Santa Marta Residence,” the Vatican stated in a brief statement on Friday.
