Pope Francis Makes Surprise Easter Appearance in Popemobile, Blesses Faithful

Pope Francis, who has been recovering from a serious bout of double pneumonia, appeared on Easter Sunday to bless the faithful in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City and even took a surprise ride around the piazza in the popemobile.

During his jaunt in the open-air vehicle, he made periodic pitstops to bless babies as the crowd cheered him on, screaming “Viva il Papa” (Long live the pope) and “Bravo,” as Associated Press reports.

Later, the pontiff emerged on a balcony at St. Peter’s Basilica in a wheelchair, where he addressed the tens of thousands who gathered. “Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter,” the pope said. After the mass, which was led by retired archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the pope gave an apostolic blessing in Latin.

Prior to his Easter public appearances, the pontiff met privately with Vice President J.D. Vance, who is in Rome spending Easter with his family. The meeting at Casa Santa Marta, where the pope resides, was a short few minutes, according to the Vatican via AP. Per the Vatican, they met to “exchange Easter greetings.” Pope Francis gave Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, a gift of three chocolate Easter eggs for Vance’s three children.

Vance’s office told the AP that the vice president “expressed his gratitude to Pope Francis for inviting him to meet on Easter Sunday and for the hospitality the Vatican has extended to his family.”

Their brief exchange comes after the pope sharply criticized the Trump administration over its migrant deportation policies. The pope has strongly advocated for migrants and refugees and it has remained a priority of his papacy. In February, the pontiff addressed the administration’s plans for the mass deportation of migrants in a letter to U.S. bishops, which appeared to be directed at Vance for his defending the administration’s deportation policies with the VP basing it on controversial theological grounds. Vance claimed that “ordo amoris,” an antiquated Christian concept, justified the policies because Vance said the concept touts family first and lastly those who hail from elsewhere.
Trending Stories
Trump's 'Happy Easter' Message Filled With Vengeance and Vitriol
'F-ck You': Nancy Mace Loses It in Public Argument With Constituent
'The Last of Us' Episode 2: A City Under Siege, a Shocking End
Snoop Dogg Drops Trippy ‘Last Dance With Mary Jane’ Video to Celebrate 4/20

In the pope’s letter to the bishops, as The New York Times notes, he appeared to respond directly to Vance’s claims: “The true ordo amoris that must be promoted” is “love that builds a fraternity open to all, without exception.”

Pope Francis’ Easter appearance was a welcome one in light of his fragile health, and one of few he’s made since he was hospitalized for five weeks with a near-fatal bout with pneumonia in both lungs. The 88-year-old pontiff made his first brief public appearance earlier this month on April 6 after being discharged from the hospital on March 23. Following his discharge, his team of doctors said the pope would require “a convalescence and rest period of at least two months.”