Pope Francis will not hold Easter Mass at St. Peter's Square

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, will lead the liturgy on Holy Saturday evening in St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican announced on Wednesday.

Cardinal Comastri Celebrates Easter Mass Instead of the Pope

Cardinal Comastri was one of the most important figures in the Vatican for 15 years. Since 2005, he has been the vicar general of Vatican City and head of the St. Peter's Basilica Fabric, and from 2006, he also became the archpriest of the largest church in Christendom.

The Vatican had already announced on Tuesday that the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday will be celebrated by Cardinal Domenico Calcagno. The Mass on Good Friday at 5:00 PM in St. Peter's Basilica will be presided over by Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, prefect of the Vatican's department for the Eastern Churches. The traditional Way of the Cross devotion at 9:15 PM at the Colosseum will be led by Cardinal Baldo Reina; in previous years, the Pope was unable to attend the celebration for health reasons. The texts for this occasion were prepared by Francis.

Pope Francis Thanked for Hospital Treatment

On Wednesday, Francis met with the management and staff of the foundation of the Roman Polyclinic "Agostino Gemelli," who supported him during his 37-day hospital stay in February and March. In total, the Pope met with 70 people, the Vatican reported. The Pope thanked them for the treatment during his hospital stay. The meeting lasted about 20 minutes.

Francis left the Gemelli Hospital on March 23. He had been admitted due to bilateral pneumonia. To continue his recovery, the Pope returned to the Vatican.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.