Pope Francis celebrates Easter Vigil in St. Peter’s Basilica

Pope Francis (87) presided over the traditional Easter Vigil in St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday night (30). This Saturday’s celebration lasted more than two hours and the Pope participated in a wheelchair. He arrived at St. Peter’s Basilica at 7:30 pm (3:30 pm Brasília time) and celebrated the liturgy for pilgrims from all over the world.

The ceremony begins outside the Basilica in the dark, with the successive lighting of candles until the space is fully illuminated, which symbolizes Christ’s passage from death to life.

During the celebration, Francis invited the faithful to look to Jesus: “if we allow Jesus to take us by the hand, no experience of failure or sadness, however painful, will have the last word on the meaning and destiny of our lives. If we allow ourselves to be elevated by the Resurrected Lord, no setback, no suffering, no death can stop our progress towards the fullness of life.”

This Sunday morning (March 31), Francisco will celebrate Easter Mass in the same place, followed by the “Urbi et Orbi” blessing (for the city and the world). This papal blessing is pronounced by the Pontiff from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on only three occasions: at Easter, at Christmas and at the end of the Conclave that elects a new Pope.

Last minute cancellation and health concerns

On Good Friday, (29) the Pontiff canceled at the last minute his presence at the Way of the Cross, one of the most important celebrations of the Catholic Church, which is staged in the Coliseum.

According to a Vatican statement, Francis canceled his participation “to preserve his health for the Vigil and Holy Mass on Easter Sunday.” The Pope followed the Way of the Cross at the Coliseum from the Santa Marta residence.

In 2023, he also canceled his participation in Via-Crúcis. However, the announcement of his absence was made in advance, as he was recovering from hospitalization for bronchitis.