Pope Francis Appears on Easter to Cheers

Pope Francis appeared in front of thousands of Catholic faithful in St. Peter's Square on Sunday for Easter, despite the 88-year-old pontiff's frail health that has kept him from most Holy Week events.

- 

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis appeared in front of thousands of Catholic faithful in St. Peter's Square on Sunday for Easter, despite the 88-year-old pontiff's frail health that has kept him from most Holy Week events.

"Happy Easter," said the Argentine pontiff in a weak voice from his wheelchair at the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, to the delight of tens of thousands of faithful and others in the flower-filled square.

The pope traditionally delivers his "Urbi et Orbi" ("To the City and the World") benediction from the balcony that overlooks St. Peter's Square, but he gave that task to a collaborator on Sunday.

His address, read out, condemned "worrisome" anti-Semitism, and the "deplorable" situation in Gaza.

The pope called for freedom of religion and respect for the views of others, saying without them peace was not possible.

"There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and respect for the views of others," read the pope's address, delivered from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica by a collaborator at the side of the wheelchair-bound Francis.

Given his delicate health following treatment for pneumonia, it had not been certain whether the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics would be present, or if so, in what capacity.