Pope Francis returns with joyful popemobile ride on Easter

VATICAN CITY. Pope Francis made a triumphant return to public view on Easter Sunday, drawing cheers and emotional reactions from a crowd of more than 35,000 in St. Peter’s Square as he greeted pilgrims from his popemobile, just weeks after surviving a life-threatening bout of double pneumonia.

In a surprise moment that electrified the gathered faithful, the 88-year-old pontiff took a ride through the square in his open-topped popemobile, offering blessings and warm smiles. As he passed through the flower-lined piazza under the spring sun, the crowd erupted into chants of “Viva il Papa!” and “Bravo!”

Francis stopped intermittently during the joyful circuit to bless babies brought to him, an image of vitality and pastoral closeness that seemed impossible just weeks ago.

“Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!” the Pope said, his voice notably stronger than in recent appearances. It marked his first extended public address since his release from the hospital on March 23 after a five-week stay.

Though Cardinal Angelo Comastri, retired archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, celebrated the Easter Mass in his place, Francis made a 20-minute appearance from the loggia of the basilica following the Mass. There, he delivered the traditional Urbi et Orbi apostolic blessing in Latin.

The celebration, held under sunny skies and with temperatures reaching 21°C (70°F), was enhanced by the beauty of thousands of daffodils and tulips donated by the Netherlands—a Vatican Easter tradition.

“It is excellent, a miracle,” said Margarita Torres Hernandez, a pilgrim from Mexico. “Now that he has come out, for me it’s a miracle, it’s something very big, very beautiful.”

Brief Meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance

Before heading to the basilica, Pope Francis met briefly with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who was in Rome with his family for Easter. According to the Vatican, the short meeting lasted only a few minutes and served as an exchange of Easter greetings.

“I know you have not been feeling great but it’s good to see you in better health,” Vance told the Pope. In return, Francis gifted three large chocolate Easter eggs for Vance’s children.

Continued Recovery After Serious Illness

The pontiff, who recently endured a 38-day hospital stay due to a severe case of double pneumonia, has made only a few public appearances since returning to the Vatican. He skipped the Good Friday and Holy Saturday services, but Sunday’s return was widely anticipated.

Doctors have prescribed two months of rest and respiratory therapy. While his voice still shows signs of strain, Sunday’s appearance marked a notable improvement.

“It was a very touching moment for us (to see the Pope),” said Marcin Popowsky, a pilgrim from Poland. “And we are very happy that we can see a pope in good shape.”

Easter Message: Hope, Peace, and Solidarity

This year’s Easter, celebrated simultaneously by both Catholic and Orthodox Christians, included Pope Francis’ Urbi et Orbi message, which was read on his behalf by Archbishop Diego Ravelli. The speech offered prayers and appeals for peace in Gaza, Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, and other conflict zones.

“How much contempt is stirred up at times toward the vulnerable, the marginalized, and migrants!” the Pope’s message declared. “On this day, I would like all of us to hope anew and to revive our trust in others, including those who are different than ourselves, or who come from distant lands, bringing unfamiliar customs, ways of life and ideas! For all of us are children of God!”

A Pastoral Heart for the Margins

Just days before Easter, Francis visited inmates at Rome’s downtown prison to mark Holy Thursday, his first major public outing since being hospitalized. The act reaffirmed the Pope’s enduring pastoral priority: to bring care and hope to those on the margins of society.

With his slow but steady return to health, Francis’ Easter appearance offered not only a sign of personal recovery but also a message of resilience and joy to a world in search of hope.