Asger Risom
On Easter Sunday, the ailing pontiff greeted tens of thousands—less than 24 hours before his death
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In a poignant final act of devotion, Pope Francis appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Easter Sunday to bless a crowd of over 35,000 people—defying doctors’ orders and delivering his last public words just one day before his death.
The 88-year-old pontiff, recently released from a 38-day hospital stay for pneumonia, had been urged by his medical team to rest for at least two months. Yet, true to form, Francis insisted on being present for Easter, the most sacred day in the Christian calendar.
A Fading Voice, a Last Goodbye
“Dear brothers and sisters, I wish you a happy Easter,” the pope said, his voice strained and weak.
According to eyewitnesses, the atmosphere in the square was unusually subdued. “It felt like people knew it was the last time they would see him,” said Mauro, a local Roman who attended the Mass.
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“He blessed us, but his voice was faint,” another onlooker, Alberto, told the BBC. “I wasn’t happy to see him like that—you could tell he was in pain.”
Francis entered the square in an open popemobile, breathing unassisted and smiling faintly as the crowd cheered. The Vatican later confirmed that the pope died the following morning of a stroke and cardiac arrest, with no direct link to his prior pneumonia diagnosis.
A Pope of the People, to the End
Throughout his papacy, Francis was known for his closeness to the faithful and disregard for protocol. In his final weeks, despite clear signs of declining health, he continued receiving visitors and meeting with world leaders—including U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
According to HotNews.ro, Francis had insisted on returning to the Vatican in time for Easter, determined to be among his people one last time. His final blessing, though barely audible, marked a quiet yet powerful farewell from a pope who never stopped serving.
