The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis will preside over the Easter Vigil service on Saturday night, following his decision to skip the Good Friday procession at the Colosseum as a health precaution. The Easter Vigil service, set to take place in St. Peter’s Basilica, is considered one of the most significant moments in the Catholic liturgical calendar.
The service, scheduled to commence at 7:30 p.m. and typically lasting two hours, is a commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus and includes the sacrament of baptism for eight adult converts. Pope Francis, aged 87, who underwent lung surgery in his youth, has been facing respiratory challenges throughout the winter, affecting his ability to speak at length.
Due to his health concerns, the Pope has canceled some engagements and has had an aide read out portions of his speeches. Notably, he opted out of delivering his Palm Sunday homily and decided last minute to forgo presiding over the Way of the Cross procession at the Colosseum on Good Friday.
The Vatican explained that the decision was made to prioritize the Pope's health in preparation for the Easter Vigil service and the demanding Easter Sunday schedule. On Easter Sunday, Pope Francis is expected to lead a morning Mass in St. Peter’s Square and deliver his Urbi et Orbi address, offering prayers for an end to global crises.
While the Pope also missed the Good Friday procession last year due to bronchitis recovery, his absence this year raised concerns. Despite preparations for his participation, the Vatican announced his absence just five minutes before the event's scheduled start time.
In addition to his respiratory issues, Pope Francis underwent intestinal surgery in 2021 and faced hospitalizations last year to address complications from previous surgeries. He has been using a wheelchair or cane for nearly two years due to knee ligament problems.
In his recently published memoirs, “Life: My Story Through History,” Pope Francis affirmed that he does not have any health conditions necessitating resignation and expressed his commitment to seeing through various ongoing projects.
