Pope Francis presided over Easter Mass this Sunday (31) amid renewed concerns about the health of the 87-year-old pontiff.
In his traditional Easter message, delivered before tens of thousands of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square, Francis addressed the conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, condemning war as “absurd”.
Francis withdrew from Good Friday religious services at the last minute to “preserve his health” during the rest of the weekend’s celebrations, according to the Vatican. The Pope had been leading the Holy Week liturgies and, on Saturday (30), he presided over the Easter Vigil in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Papal observers have been closely monitoring the octogenarian’s well-being since last year, when he underwent abdominal surgery and was hospitalized with bronchitis.
The Pope has been hospitalized for tests in recent weeks. He also relied on his aides to read some of his speeches at times when he was suffering from colds, flu or bouts of bronchitis.
During his speech on Sunday, Francis reiterated his call for an “immediate ceasefire” in the war between Israel and Hamas, while also calling for “access to humanitarian aid to be guaranteed to Gaza” and the “immediate release of hostages.”
Regarding the war in Ukraine, the pontiff said both sides should engage in a “general prisoner exchange.”
Children affected by war, he said, “have forgotten how to smile.”
Francis also called for help for those suffering from “food insecurity and the effects of climate change” and asked all those with “political responsibilities” to stop human trafficking.
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