Pope Francis spent busy final day celebrating Easter and meeting JD Vance

Belfast Telegraph - 21/04
Pope Francis had a busy final day celebrating Easter Sunday, greeting crowds in St Peter’s Square and meeting US vice president JD Vance.

He emerged from his convalescence on Sunday morning to bless the thousands of people in St Peter’s Square in Vatican City, treating them to a surprise popemobile drive through the piazza.

The 88-year-old stopped occasionally to bless babies taken up to him, and said: “Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter”.

Pope Francis tours St Peter’s Square in his popemobile after his balcony appearance at the end of the Easter Sunday mass (Andrew Medichini/AP)

The pontiff had delegated the celebration of the Easter mass to another cardinal but after it ended, he appeared on the loggia balcony over the basilica entrance for more than 20 minutes as the Urbi et Orbi blessing was imparted.

On his way to the basilica, Francis briefly met Mr Vance, who was spending ...
[Short citation of 8% of the original article]