• Pope Francis appeared in St. Peter's Square to bless thousands despite recent health challenges.
• The pontiff emphasized peace in his Easter address, calling for ceasefires in conflict zones.
• After a lengthy recovery from pneumonia, his voice was stronger but still labored during the Easter greeting.
• He used an open-topped popemobile for the first time since his hospitalization, receiving cheers from the crowd.
• Vice President JD Vance met the pope before the Easter celebrations, exchanging greetings and gifts.

Pope Francis made a significant appearance in St. Peter's Square on Easter Sunday, offering blessings to a gathered crowd of more than 35,000 people, demonstrating his recovery from a near-fatal bout of double pneumonia. "Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!" he said, drawing cheers as he toured the square in his popemobile, a sight many thought impossible just weeks prior when he was hospitalized for five weeks due to his health issues, according to The New York Times.

While Pope Francis did not lead the Easter Mass, delegating this responsibility to Cardinal Angelo Comastri, he did fulfill his duty for the traditional "Urbi et Orbi" blessing. This year, in a message delivered by an aide, he called for peace in several global hotspots, including Gaza and Ukraine, reflecting on humanitarian concerns amid ongoing conflicts, notes NPR.

During his nearly fifty-minute appearance, the pope, though visibly frail and seated in a wheelchair, received an enthusiastic response from the crowd. His ability to bless children brought up by attendees highlighted a return to his pastoral duties that had been curtailed during his recovery from health issues. The open-air celebration was adorned with flowers, creating a festive backdrop for the occasion, according to Reuters.

Also noteworthy was a brief interaction with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who visited the Vatican, exchanging Easter greetings and gifts. This meeting followed Francis’s cautious recovery schedule, recommending that he limit public appearances as he regains his strength, suggests CBS News.

The pope's messages during Easter this year resonated deeply with attendees, particularly his appeals for compassion and solidarity with migrants and victims of war, effectively addressing pressing societal issues. "How much contempt is stirred up at times toward the vulnerable, the marginalized, and migrants!" Francis emphasized in his Easter address, reflecting his commitment to universal dignity and peace, as reported by Le Monde.

Overall, Pope Francis’s Easter Sunday appearance was perceived not only as a significant milestone in his recovery but also as a renewed commitment to his spiritual and global leadership, encapsulating the essence of Easter with both joy and a call for necessary change in the world.