Pope Francis Celebrates Easter Sunday with Blessing and Meeting
ROME and LONDON — On Easter Sunday, Pope Francis appeared in St. Peter’s Square to deliver a blessing after a brief meeting with Vice President JD Vance.
Meeting with Vice President JD Vance
Vice President Vance arrived at Casa Santa Marta within the Vatican around 11:30 a.m. local time, as stated by the Vatican’s Holy See Press Office. The meeting was brief, allowing the two leaders to exchange Easter greetings.
Papal Blessing and Easter Message
At noon, Pope Francis, now 88 and seated in his wheelchair, addressed the crowd in St. Peter’s Square, proclaiming “Buona Pasqua!” or “Happy Easter!” His blessing encompassed a heartfelt call for peace in various regions, specifically urging for an end to conflicts in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.
The Call for Humanity
In his Easter message, the Pope emphasized the need for humanity to prevail in daily actions. He stated, “May the principle of humanity never fail to be the hallmark of our daily actions.” He condemned the brutality of conflicts that primarily impact innocent civilians, emphasizing that these conflicts strike at individual lives rather than faceless targets.
His message resonates as a plea for recognition of the dignity and humanity in every person affected by violence and war.