In brief
Pope Francis, 88, surprised many by attending the Easter Sunday celebrations at St. Peter's Square after recovering from a hospital stay due to double pneumonia. Thousands of Catholics gathered in Rome for the event, which is part of a significant jubilee year.
Pope Francis made a surprise appearance at Easter Sunday celebrations in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, following a serious health scare. The 88-year-old pontiff's participation in the mass came into question after he was discharged from hospital last month, where he underwent treatment for an infection that led to double pneumonia. Initially, doctors recommended he take at least two months to rest at his residence to recover fully. In the lead-up to Easter, Francis had been seen in public on two occasions, but many remained uncertain about his attendance at the significant mass. The jubilee year, which occurs every 25 years, draws millions of pilgrims to Rome, making this year's celebration particularly special. It began with the Pope's opening of the normally sealed Holy Door at St Peter's Basilica on December 24, an act believed to absolve pilgrims of their sins.This year, however, marks a change as the Pope missed most of the Holy Week events for the first time since his papacy began in 2013, including the Easter vigil at St Peter's Basilica. Instead, he designated cardinals to fulfill those duties. Nevertheless, during a brief visit to the basilica on Easter day, he made time to pray and distribute sweets to children present. As this story continues to develop, updates will be provided, ensuring that the public stays informed about the health and activities of Pope Francis. For those looking to receive real-time news, the BBC News App and @BBCBreaking on X offer the latest alerts.
