Pope urges freedom, tolerance in Easter address amid fragile health

Pope Francis called for freedom of thought and religious tolerance in his Easter Sunday address, delivering a brief appearance from his wheelchair as he recovers from pneumonia.

"Happy Easter," said the 88-year-old pope in a frail voice from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, drawing cheers from the flower-filled square below. Though visibly weak, he circled the square in his popemobile for nearly 15 minutes, blessing babies and waving to the crowd of more than 35,000.

Unable to read his traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing, Francis delegated it to a collaborator.

"There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and respect for the views of others," the address stated. He condemned rising anti-Semitism and the “dramatic and deplorable” situation in Gaza.

Among those present was fellow Argentine Maria Repezza, 58. “I'm moved by the strength he puts out, because he is sick and very old... We feel blessed,” she said.

Just prior, Francis met briefly with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his family, exchanging Easter greetings.

The pope’s address highlighted global conflict zones, including Sudan, Yemen and Ukraine.

"On this day, I would like all of us to hope anew and to revive our trust in others, including those who are different than ourselves, or who come from distant lands, bringing unfamiliar customs, ways of life and ideas!" read the speech.

He urged leaders “not to yield to the logic of fear,” and lamented the impact of war: “we cannot allow ourselves to forget that it is not targets that are struck, but persons, each possessed of a soul and human dignity.”

He again condemned the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. "The terrible conflict continues to cause death and destruction and to create a dramatic and deplorable humanitarian situation," the message said.

Though he appeared briefly at Saturday’s Easter Vigil and recently visited inmates at a Rome prison, Francis missed most Holy Week events for the first time in his papacy. Released from hospital March 23, he continues to recover, though his voice remains weak.

Sunday’s Mass drew a larger-than-usual crowd due to the Jubilee year, organizers said. This Easter was notable for falling on the same weekend for Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox Christians alike.