Pope Francis presided over the Vatican’s sombre Easter Vigil service, delivering a 10-minute homily and baptising eight people, a day after suddenly skipping the Good Friday procession at the Colosseum as a health precaution.
More than an hour later, Francis delivered a 10-minute homily in a strong voice, clearing his throat occasionally. The 87-year-old Francis, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, has been battling respiratory problems all winter that have made it difficult for him to speak at length. He and the Vatican have said he has had bronchitis, a cold or the flu.He has cancelled some audiences and often asked an aide to read aloud some of his speeches.
In his homily Francis referred to the stone that the faithful believe was removed from Christ’s tomb after his death. Francis urged Catholics to remove the stones in their lives that “block the door of our hearts, stifling life, extinguishing hope, imprisoning us in the tomb of our fears and regrets”.“Let us lift our eyes to him and ask that the power of his resurrection may roll away the heavy stones that weigh down our souls,” he said.
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