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VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis took part in the Easter vigil on Saturday after canceling at the last minute his participation in the Good Friday procession at the Colosseum in Rome.
Francis notably read a homily more than a page long, and smiled and greeted the faithful as he left St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome in a wheelchair.
Pope Francis canceled his participation in the Good Friday procession at the Colosseum in Rome at the last minute, in order, according to the Vatican, to “preserve his health”.
The unexpected move came as Francis has limited his speaking engagements and canceled engagements several times in recent weeks due to colds, bronchitis and a flu infection.
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François, aged 87, also needs a wheelchair or a cane to get around due to a knee condition.
The pope is scheduled to deliver an Easter Mass on Sunday as well as the message and blessing “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world).
(Reporting by Alvise Armellini, written by Helen Popper, French version Benjamin Mallet and Camille Raynaud)
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