Easter Mass brings relief to public after pontiff’s illness

In the early hours on a stunning Easter morning in Vatican City, thousands of people from around the world waited to be let into St Peter’s Square for Pope Francis’ Mass.

Once access was opened, nuns and priests were among those who ran to secure a good vantage point, in a square bedecked with nearly 40,000 flowers donated by the Netherlands.

Just days ago they may have had doubts about whether Pope Francis, 86, would be well enough to attend Holy Week events at all. Recent complaints of breathing difficulties had led to an untimely spell in hospital.

Since being discharged after what was determined to be a bout of bronchitis, Pope Francis has managed to fulfill most of his commitments, leading Mass on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

But for the first time since becoming pope in 2013, he did miss the Via Crucis ceremony on the evening of Good Friday at Rome’s Colosseum, which commemorates the final hours in the life of Jesus.

Many who had come to St Peter’s Square today spoke of their concerns about how the Pope might look and sound. In the end, he appeared untroubled through the 75-minute long Mass. But it was immediately afterwards that he seemed particularly energised, moving along a row of cardinals in his wheelchair to greet and smile and speak with them, before taking to his open-top vehicle to wave to the crowds.