Pope Francis presides over Easter Vigil service amid frail health concerns

The night service, one of the vital solemn and vital moments within the Catholic liturgical calendar, commemorates the resurrection of Jesus and consists of the sacrament of baptism for eight grownup converts.

He has cancelled some audiences and infrequently requested an aide to learn aloud a few of his speeches.

Pope Francis entered the darkened, silent St Peter’s Basilica in his wheelchair, earlier than taking his place in a chair and providing a gap prayer. Supply: AAP / Giuseppe Lami/EPA

However the alarm was raised when he ditched his Palm Sunday homily altogether final week on the final minute after which determined all of a sudden on Friday to remain dwelling quite than preside over the Method of the Cross procession on the Colosseum re-enacting Christ’s crucifixion.

Whereas Francis additionally skipped the chilly Good Friday procession final yr as a result of he was recovering from bronchitis, his sudden absence from the occasion this yr underscored how his frail well being was affecting even main liturgical occasions on the Vatican.