In his final, heartfelt gesture of faith, Pope Francis, supported by his aides, offered the world a simple but powerful message: “Happy Easter.”
On Easter Sunday, the Pope, who passed away today at the age of 88, made a moving appearance on the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica, bringing joy to the 35,000 faithful gathered in Vatican City.
Though visibly frail, the Holy Father sat on the balcony and listened as a senior cardinal delivered the traditional Easter blessing on his behalf. Aides were seen assisting the Pope throughout the ceremony—helping him drink water through a straw and gently adjusting his papal vestments.
Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the retiring Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, celebrated Easter Mass in the piazza in the Pope’s stead, as Francis was too weak to lead the liturgy himself.
Earlier this year, the Pope battled a serious illness that developed into pneumonia in both lungs. He had been discharged from the hospital on March 23 under what the Vatican described as a “protected discharge.”
Despite his declining health, Francis remained spiritually engaged. Just 20 hours before the Vatican announced his passing, he shared his Easter message on social media.
“Christ is risen! These words capture the entire meaning of our existence, for we were not made for death but for life,” he wrote. He also shared the full Urbi et Orbi blessing—read aloud by his aide from the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica.
In what would become his final Easter sermon, Francis called for peace and compassion amid global suffering. He decried the “many conflicts raging in different parts of our world” and prayed that the Jubilee Year might bring the liberation of prisoners of war and political prisoners.
Addressing world leaders, he urged those “in positions of political responsibility” to cease “sowing seeds of death” and instead pursue “weapons of peace.”
He condemned the violence inflicted on women and children and criticized a society where “contempt is stirred up at times towards the vulnerable, the marginalized, and migrants.”
Pope Francis’ final message was one of unity, peace, and hope—true to the legacy he leaves behind.
