Easter without Pope Francis - Vatican announces new service format
Photo: Pope Francis (Getty Images)
Pope Francis will not be able to lead the main Easter services in the Vatican due to health deterioration, cardinals will replace him, according to Vatican News.
On Good Friday, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Dicastery for Eastern Churches, will lead the Good Friday Liturgy at St. Peter's Basilica. Later that evening, Cardinal Baldo Reina, the Papal Vicar for Rome, will lead the Via Crucis at the Colosseum.
On Holy Saturday, Pope Francis entrusted the service to Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re.
And on Sunday morning, Cardinal Angelo Comastri will celebrate the Easter Mass at St. Peter's Square.
Pope's illness
On February 14, 2025, Francis was taken to the hospital with bronchitis, which later developed into bilateral pneumonia. This condition was particularly dangerous for him, as he had previously suffered from pleurisy in his youth and had part of his lung removed.
The Pope spent 38 days in the hospital and was very close to death several times. Doctors even considered discontinuing his treatment to allow him to pass away.
However, the illness passed, and in late March, Pope Francis was discharged from the hospital.
On April 6, the Pope appeared in public for the first time at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican.
