The Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis would lead the Easter Vigil service on Saturday night, opting to forego his participation in the Good Friday procession at the Colosseum due to health concerns. The Vatican’s daily bulletin announced that Francis would preside over the significant vigil in St. Peter’s Basilica, marking one of the most solemn moments in the Catholic liturgical calendar.
Scheduled to commence at 7:30 p.m. local time and typically lasting two hours, the service commemorates the resurrection of Jesus and includes the sacrament of baptism for eight adult converts. The 87-year-old pontiff, who underwent the removal of part of one lung in his youth, has been contending with respiratory issues throughout the winter, making it challenging for him to speak extensively.
While canceling some audiences and frequently requesting an aide to read his speeches aloud, Francis opted at the last minute on Friday to remain at home rather than preside over the Way of the Cross procession at the Colosseum, which reenacts Christ’s crucifixion.
The Vatican explained briefly that the decision was taken to “safeguard his health” in anticipation of the vigil service on Saturday and his demanding schedule on Easter Sunday. The pope is slated to lead the Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Square in the morning and deliver his Urbi et Orbi address, praying for an end to global crises. Francis also missed the chilly Good Friday procession last year due to bronchitis recovery. However, his sudden absence this year raised concerns.
Despite his chair being set up on the podium and aides preparing for his arrival, the Vatican announced just five minutes before the scheduled start time that he would not be attending.
In addition to his respiratory issues, Francis underwent surgery to remove a portion of his large intestine in 2021 and was hospitalized twice last year, once for the removal of intestinal scar tissue resulting from previous surgeries for diverticulosis. He has been relying on a wheelchair or cane for nearly two years due to knee ligament issues.
In his recently published memoirs, “Life: My Story Through History,” Francis stated that he is not grappling with any health issues necessitating resignation and that he still has “numerous projects to see through.”