Pope Francis has announced that he will preside over the Easter Vigil service on Saturday night, despite missing the Good Friday procession at the Colosseum due to health concerns. The service, which takes place in St. Peter’s Basilica, is one of the most important moments in the Catholic liturgical calendar and commemorates the resurrection of Jesus. It is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. and typically lasts for two hours. During the service, Pope Francis will baptize eight adult converts.
Last year, Pope Francis also missed the Good Friday procession due to bronchitis, but his absence this year raised concerns due to his ongoing respiratory problems and intestinal surgery in 2021. Despite these challenges, Pope Francis has expressed that he is not suffering from any health conditions that would require him to resign and has many projects that he still wishes to bring to fruition. In fact, he recently completed a major renovation project at St. Peter’s Basilica and has plans for future initiatives aimed at promoting peace and reconciliation around the world.