Easter mass: Catholics gather to hear Pope Francis

Tens of thousands of Catholics will gather on Sunday at Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City to hear Pope Francis give Easter Mass and a traditional blessing.

The 87-year-old pontiff will preside over the mass from 10:00 am (0800 GMT), pronouncing the “Urbi et Orbi” (To the City and the World) blessing at midday, with the events broadcast live around the world.

Easter Sunday marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is the culmination of Holy Week, a major part of the Catholic calendar followed by 1.3 billion people.

The pope on Saturday presided over the Easter Vigil at the Vatican in front of some 6,000 people from around the world, a day after his last-minute cancellation at a major Good Friday procession revived questions about his health.

He delivered a 10-minute homily in Italian, speaking without any undue difficulty and condemning “the walls of selfishness and indifference” in the world.

At the end of the two-and-a-half-hour service he showed little sign of fatigue, taking time to greet and bless some of the worshippers.

In a brief statement Friday, the Vatican had said that “to preserve his health ahead of tomorrow’s vigil and the Easter Sunday mass, Pope Francis will this evening follow the Way of the Cross at the Colosseum from the Santa Marta Residence”, where he lives. Punch