Pope Francis was seen wishing a Happy Easter to everyone in his final poignant act of devotion that saw him getting supported heavily by his aides.
Francis passed away today at the age of 88 after delighting a crowd featuring more than 35,000 faithful at the Vatican on Easter Sunday. This was when he shocked them by making an appearance on the balcony at Saint Peter’s Basilica.
The Pontiff looked very weary and fatigued, and was often held by his aides, while he sat on the balcony and watched as Archbishop Diego Ravelli read his Easter blessing to the giant crowd.
Aides were seen adjusting his papal robes and assisting him to drink water through a straw as the blessing was delivered.
He didn’t celebrate the Easter Mass in the piazza yesterday and instead chose to delegate it to Cardinal Angelo Comastri, who is the retired archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Francis left the hospital under protected discharge on March 23 after he suffered from a serious infection that developed into pneumonia in both lungs earlier that year.
Just 20 hours before the Vatican shared the tragic news of his passing, Francis took to his account on social media to commemorate the highest holiday in Catholicism.
He also called for the end of many conflicts raging in different parts of the world. He also prayed in this jubilee year that Easter be a fitting occasion for the liberation of prisoners of war and political prisoners.
