A weakened Pope – cheered by the believers

The faithful waited tensely on St. Peter's Square whether Francis would donate the blessing on Easter Sunday after his illness. His appearance then ensures relief – but also shows how weak the Pope is.

He didn't miss it. Pope Francis himself appeared at the end of the Easter fair and wished the believing happy Easter. Despite the life -threatening pneumonia, which he only survived. And he also donated the traditional blessing “Urbi et Orbi” to the city of Rome and the Earth district – at least in a shortened blessing formula.

The eyes had previously been tense on the Middle Model of St. Peter's Basilica. There was almost no sound on St. Peter's Square. The heavy red curtains only opened after minutes and Francis was pushed into the balcony in a wheelchair – applause and cheers branded across the square. Since speaking is still audibly difficult for him, Francis then read his Easter message from his master of ceremonies Diego Ravelli.

Pope can be represented at Ostermesse

It was the moment everyone had been waiting for. St. Peter's Square, decorated with flowers, send the Dutch gardeners year after year. Tens of thousands of believers who patiently waited for the admission on a slightly covered, still cool spring day in Rome. As always, a lot was at the Easter celebrations. But until the end of the fair, the central figure was missing. The Pope was also represented at the fair – by the former arch priest of St. Peter's Basilica, Angelo Comastri. At the center of his Easter message, the Pope presented the warning of a new arms race.

“There can be no peace without real disarmament! The claim of every people to ensure their own defense must not lead to a general arms race,” it said. The Pope's greatest Easter wish: to find back to hope that peace is possible. Above all, but not just in the Holy Land.

“Growing climate of anti -Semitism”

“I am my closeness to the suffering Christians in Palestine and Israel like the entire Israeli and Palestinian people,” it said in the Easter message. The growing climate of anti -Semitism that spreads all over the world is worrying.

“At the same time, my thoughts are among people and especially with the Christian community in the Gaza Strip, where the terrible conflict continues to bring death and destruction and causes a dramatic and unworthy humanitarian situation,” said Ravelli on behalf. “I appeal to the warring parties to hire the fire, to leave the hostage and help people who hunger and long for a peaceful future!”

Peace messages For Ukraine

Francis also went into the war in Ukraine in his Easter message – without mentioning Russia: “May the risen Christ of the tormented Ukraine have given the Easter gift of peace and encourage everyone involved to continue their efforts to keep up with a fair and permanent peace.”

He also mentioned the conflicts in Yemen and in the Caucasus between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as on the Western Balkans, Sudan, Congo and Myanmar.

The Pope had expressed the express request to take over at least the central part of the Easter celebrations – even if the doctors still prescribe conservation and calm after his life -threatening pneumonia. After the blessing, he also had his papamobile drive over St. Peter's Square.

The reaction of the faithful on the square was clear – on the one hand relief, because the Pope is slowly, slowly, very slowly again than immediately after his release from the hospital. On the other hand, it continues to worry because the performance also made it clear how difficult the Pope was ill, how short he is still and how difficult it is to speak more than a few seconds.