Pope Francis made a public appearance in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday to deliver his traditional blessing, shortly after a brief meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the Vatican.
According to the Holy See Press Office, Vance arrived at Casa Santa Marta around 11:30 a.m. local time, where he met with the Pope and exchanged Easter greetings.
Vance later shared on X that he was grateful for the meeting and prayed for the Pope’s good health.
Around noon, the 88-year-old pontiff appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, greeting the large crowd gathered for the Easter Mass. From his wheelchair, he offered a blessing and wished everyone “Buona Pasqua!”—“Happy Easter!”
In his Easter message, Pope Francis called for peace in regions plagued by conflict, including the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. He emphasized the importance of upholding humanity, stating that in war, it is not just targets being hit, but human lives—each one carrying dignity and a soul.
