Thousands of faithful participated in the Easter Mass presided over by the Holy Father. More than sixty thousand faithful from all over the world filled the Vatican square from the early hours of the morning.
Thulio Fonseca – Vatican News
Pope Francis presided, with more than 350 concelebrants, at the Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Square, decorated with thousands of multicolored flowers, the result of the generous contribution of Dutch landscapers. In the liturgy, which began with the rite of “Resurrexit”, more than sixty thousand faithful from all over the world filled the Vatican square from the early hours of the morning.
St. Peter’s Square during Easter mass
“Reborn into the light of life, renewed by your Spirit” was the Pope’s prayer in Latin after singing the Glory. The liturgy of the Word takes us to the narrated experience of the Apostles, and exhorts us, through Saint Paul, to seek “the things above, where Christ is”. The Gospel of John, proclaimed first in Latin and then in Greek, presents the wonderful narration of Mary of Magdala who goes to the tomb from which the stone was rolled away.
Pope Francis during Easter Mass
The assembly, according to tradition, maintained a few minutes of silence for personal reflection that replaced the homily. At the end of the celebration, Francisco traveled with the popemobile through the various sectors of the square and also the Via da Conciliação to greet and bless the pilgrims and tourists celebrating.
Then, the Pope went to the central balcony of the Vatican Basilica for the traditional Easter Message and Blessing Urbi et Orbi – to the city of Rome and the entire world. In his words, an insistent appeal to the diverse realities that afflict humanity, and the certainty that “life was given to us in the resurrection of Christ”.
The Pope in the Popemobile during Easter Mass
After granting the blessing to the faithful, the Holy Father attended the festive musical performances of the guard corps. Amidst so many smiles and congratulations, the Pope said goodbye to the crowd, and on the final journey, a quick stop to admire the Sistine Chapel.
Watch the short video of the Easter Mass
