Pope Francis held Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Square for roughly 50,000 people on Sunday, the first Easter Mass open to the public in two years due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
After St. Mary Magdalene, the ceremonial sequence, which is sung in Latin, remembers how the apostle Peter, of whom the pope is the heir, was one of the first witnesses to Christ’s resurrection.
Deacons opened the panels of the Holy Savior icon close to the altar while the “Resurrexit” was sung.
Before continuing with the rest of the Mass, Pope Francis sprinkled holy water.
The Vatican’s altar was decked with flowers from the Netherlands for Easter 2022, continuing a 37-year tradition.
With 280 priests, 25 bishops, and 23 cardinals, Pope Francis celebrated the Easter Sunday Mass. At the pope’s Mass, students from the North American College Seminary in Rome served as ministers.
In Latin and Greek, the Gospel reading, John 20:1-9, was read. The empty tomb was discovered by Mary Magdalene and the apostles Peter and John after Jesus’ resurrection, according to the text.
Instead of offering a homily after the Gospel, as has been customary in recent years, Pope Francis observed a period of silence for prayer and thought.
Before proceeding to the Hall of Blessings, he greeted the masses in St. Peter’s Square and the street outside the Popemobile.