ROME and LONDON — Pope Francis appeared on Sunday in St. Peter’s Sq. on the Vatican for an Easter Sunday blessing, after a short earlier assembly with Vice President JD Vance.
Vance arrived at Casa Santa Marta within the Vatican shortly after 11:30 a.m. native time, the Vatican’s Holy See Press Workplace mentioned in a press release.
Pope Francis meets with Vice President JD Vance and a delegation throughout an viewers at Casa Santa Marta, April 20, 2025, on the Vatican.
Vatican Pool/Getty Photographs
“The assembly, which lasted a couple of minutes, gave them the chance to change Easter greetings,” the workplace mentioned.
“Right this moment I met with the Holy Father Pope Francis. I’m grateful for his invitation to fulfill, and I pray for his good well being,” Vance posted on X following the assembly.
At about midday, the 88-year-old pontiff arrived appeared on the balcony on the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica, overlooking the sq. full of crowds who had attended the Easter mass, which had simply ended.
The motorcade of Vice President JD Vance is seen en path to the Vatican, in Rome, Italy, April 20, 2025.
Kenny Holston/Pool by way of Reuters
Seated in his wheelchair, he blessed the group and mentioned, “Buona Pasqua!” or “Glad Easter!” The pope’s Easter message included a name for an finish to conflicts within the Center East, Europe and Africa.
Pope Francis seems on the principle balcony of St. Peter’s basilica for the Urbi et Orbi message and blessing to the town and the world as a part of Easter celebrations, at St. Peter’s Sq. within the Vatican on April 20, 2025.
Tiziana Fabi/AFP VIA Getty Photographs
“Could the precept of humanity by no means fail to be the hallmark of our day by day actions,” his message mentioned, partly. “Within the face of the cruelty of conflicts that contain defenseless civilians and assault faculties, hospitals and humanitarian staff, we can not permit ourselves to neglect that it isn’t targets which are struck, however individuals, every possessed of a soul and human dignity.”
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