Papa Francisco will give a blessing in public at Easter

The Vatican announced on Thursday that the Pope will give the blessing « Urbi et Orbi » in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, April 20. Francisco is in convalescence after severe pneumonia that put his life in danger

The Holy See has not explained, however, if the 88 -year -old Argentine Pontiff could preside over the other celebrations, a unlikely hypothesis taking into account the Holy Week event schedule.

After five weeks of hospitalization in Rome, Francisco returned on Sunday to the Vatican, where he continues the recovery of at least two months. It involves motor and respiratory reeducation therapies, and without public activities.

The health of the Pope provoked doubts among the faithful about his presence at Easter ceremonies, the most important party of the year for Catholics.

The calendar of liturgical celebrations for Holy Week, published Thursday by the Vatican, includes the blessing “Urbi et Orbi”, which will be given by the Pope in the window of St. Peter’s Basilica on Easter Sunday.

The Holy See has confirmed the Easter celebrations, such as Via Crucis at the Colosseum of Rome, but did not reveal who will preside over the acts.

The Vatican said that the Pope’s presence during Holy Week would be decided due to the evolution of his health « in the coming weeks ».

The pontiff can delegate the celebration of masses and ceremonies to other religious -who are usually cardinal -but only the Pope can pronounce the blessing « Urbi et orbi ».

The Vatican also maintained the date of canonization of Italian Blessed Carlo Acutis (1991-2006) to April 27, but without confirming if the Pope will participate in the ceremony.