Pope Francis made a triumphant return to St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, greeting thousands just weeks after surviving double pneumonia. In a powerful Easter message, he called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, urging both sides to end hostilities and ease the humanitarian crisis.

Pope Francis made a public appearance in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday for the first time since recovering from a severe bout of pneumonia. Riding in an open-air popemobile, the 88-year-old pontiff greeted tens of thousands of worshippers who had gathered for the Vatican’s Easter Mass celebration.

Seated in a raised chair, Francis waved gently to the crowd, which waved flags and chanted “viva il papa!” as he passed. Although he did not preside over the Mass itself—adhering to doctors’ orders to reduce his workload—the pope appeared at the end to deliver his traditional "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) blessing and message, read aloud by an aide from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.

In his Easter message, the pope reiterated a strong call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, describing the humanitarian situation as “dramatic and deplorable.” He urged both sides to end hostilities, release hostages, and address the growing hunger in the region. He also condemned rising antisemitism and expressed solidarity with both Israelis and Palestinians.

Francis’s message follows weeks of intensified criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which he previously described as “very serious and shameful.” According to local health officials, over 51,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began following Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which left 1,200 dead and 251 taken hostage.

In a separate event on Sunday, Pope Francis briefly met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the Vatican to exchange Easter greetings. The meeting lasted only a few minutes, according to the Holy See.

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