Pope blesses Easter crowds from popemobile in first significant appearance since illness

Pope Francis has made his first significant public appearance since he left hospital, greeting cheering crowds from the popemobile.

He blessed the thousands of faithful gathered to celebrate Easter Sunday at the Vatican. The 88-year-old pontiff appeared frail as he was wheeled out onto the balcony over the entrance of St Peter's Basilica, before being driven in the popemobile through the crowds of faithful gathered in St Peter's Square.

He was met with cheers, applause and chants of "Viva il Papa" - meaning long live the Pope. It is his longest stint out in public since he spent five weeks in hospital being treated for double pneumonia.

"Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!" Pope Francis managed to say, before an aide read the rest of his annual Urbi et Orbi blessing and speech, which called for an end to the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. "May the risen Christ grant Ukraine, devastated by war, his Easter gift of peace, and encourage all parties involved to pursue efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace," the message said.

"In this Jubilee year, may Easter also be a fitting occasion for the liberation of prisoners of war and political prisoners!" Crowds then stretched out their hands and filmed as the Pope was driven past in the special vehicle. The popemobile stopped a number of times in order for the pontiff to bless babies and small children, appearing to also give them gifts.

Before the public appearance, the Pope "exchanged good wishes" with US vice president JD Vance during a private audience at the Vatican. Mr Vance, who is in Rome with his family, also had a "quick and private" meeting with the Pope on Saturday, sources told Sky News.

It came after he met the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and foreign minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher. On Sunday morning, in another unscheduled move, the Pope decided to formally receive the US vice president ahead of his Urbi et Orbi blessing.

The Vatican said the encounter lasted just a few minutes. The meeting came amid tensions between the Vatican and the Trump administration over the US president's crackdown on migrants and cuts to international aid.

The Pope has only appeared in public a handful of times since returning to the Vatican on 23 March. Leading up to Easter, he skipped the solemn services of Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

Before Sunday, his biggest outing had been a visit to Rome's central prison to spend Holy Thursday with inmates. He also missed the Easter Sunday open-air mass, which was led instead by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the retired archpriest of St Peter's Basilica.

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