Rome and London – Pope Francis appeared on Sunday in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican for a blessing on Easter Sunday, after a brief previous meeting with Vice President JD Vance.
Vance arrived at Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican shortly after 11:30 am local time, said the Vatican Santa Headquarters press office in a statement.
The caravan of vice president JD Vance looks on the way to the Vatican, in Rome, Italy, April 20, 2025.
Kenny Holston/Pool through Reuters
“The meeting, which lasted a few minutes, gave them the opportunity to exchange Easter greetings,” the office said.
Around noon, the 88 -year -old pontiff arrived at St. Peter’s Square, where Easter celebrations are held.
Pope Francis appears on the main balcony of the Basilica of San Pedro for the message and blessing of Urbi et Orbi to the city and the world as part of the celebrations of Easter, in the Plaza de San Pedro in the Vatican on April 20, 2025.
Tiziana Fabi/AFP through Getty Images
Sitting in his wheelchair, he blessed the crowd and said: “Buona Pasqua!” or “Happy Easter!” The Pope’s Easter blessing included a call at the end of conflicts in the Middle East, Europe and Africa.
“That the principle of humanity never ceases to be the distinctive seal of our daily actions,” said his blessing in part. “Given the cruelty of conflicts that involve defenseless civilians and attacks, hospitals and humanitarian workers, we cannot allow ourselves to forget that they are not the objectives that are beaten, but people, each one possesses a soul and a human dignity.”
This is a development story. Consult the updates again.
