The Vatican began Holy Week on Thursday, April 17, 2025, with Pope Francis, 88, recovering from a life-threatening bout of pneumonia. Although the pontiff officially remained sidelined, cardinals were appointed to preside over the major liturgical services leading up to Easter.
Pope Francis was notably absent from the Holy Thursday mass held in St. Peter's Basilica that morning. However, unconfirmed reports from Italian media indicated that he might visit Rome's central prison later that day to commemorate the Last Supper, a tradition he has upheld throughout his papacy. The Vatican did not confirm or deny these reports, emphasizing that any such visit would be private and contingent on the pope's health.
Having recently overcome a severe case of bilateral pneumonia, which had put his life at risk, Pope Francis has shown signs of improvement. He made a surprise appearance at the end of Palm Sunday mass the previous weekend and has engaged in several unannounced visits, including one where he prayed at St. Peter's Basilica and another at Santa Maria Maggiore, across the city.
As he continues to recover from his five-week hospital stay, the pope has been seen without the nasal tubes that provided supplemental oxygen, and sources from the Vatican indicate he is increasingly relying less on respiratory therapy. On Wednesday, April 16, he held his first formal group audience since returning to the Vatican on March 23, thanking over 70 medical staff from the Gemelli Hospital who treated him during his 38-day stay.
“Thank you for everything you did,” Pope Francis expressed, his voice still somewhat strained but noticeably stronger. He specifically acknowledged Elena Beccalli, the rector of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart affiliated with the Gemelli, praising her leadership: “When women lead, things go well,” he remarked, marking one of his most extensive public statements since his hospitalization.
While the pope has delegated the demanding Holy Week celebrations to selected cardinals, he has composed the meditations that will be read during the Stations of the Cross procession on Friday, April 18, 2025, at the Colosseum in Rome. The Chrism Mass, celebrated on Holy Thursday, was presided over by Cardinal Domenico Calcagno, the former director of the Vatican's heritage office.
Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, who oversees the Vatican's office for Eastern Catholics, will lead the solemn commemoration of Christ's crucifixion on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. The Easter Sunday mass will be conducted by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the retired administrator of St. Peter's.
It remains to be seen how Pope Francis will handle the traditional "Urbi et Orbi" blessing on Easter Sunday, which typically involves a lengthy speech about the state of the world from the loggia of St. Peter's, followed by a special blessing to the faithful gathered in the square. In theory, another cardinal could deliver the speech while the pope offers the blessing.
Pope Francis was admitted to the Gemelli Hospital on February 14 with bronchitis that quickly developed into a serious case of bilateral pneumonia. After his discharge on March 23, doctors prescribed a two-month recovery period at the Vatican, during which he is expected to undergo daily respiratory and physical therapy to improve his respiratory and vocal functions.
Despite his absence from the Holy Thursday and Good Friday celebrations, the Vatican has not ruled out the possibility of the pope participating in the Paschal Triduum rites, which commemorate the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. He has delegated the presidency of these liturgies to various cardinals.
The Chrism Mass, which took place on Holy Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 9:30 AM in St. Peter's Basilica, was presided over by Cardinal Domenico Calcagno. On Good Friday, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti will officiate the celebration of the Passion in the Vatican Basilica at 5:00 PM. The traditional Stations of the Cross ceremony, scheduled for 9:15 PM on the same Friday in the Colosseum, will be presided over by Cardinal Baldassare Reina.
The meditations to be read during the Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum have been prepared by Pope Francis himself. The Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday, which is not part of the papal celebrations, will occur at 6:00 PM and will be led by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, the archpriest of the Basilica and the Vatican's general vicar.
According to the Holy See Press Office, Pope Francis continues to make progress in his recovery, showing improvements in his mobility, breathing, and voice. The use of high-flow oxygen has become "residual" and is now limited to "therapeutic purposes," with longer periods where he can manage without nasal cannulas. He continues to hold shorter working meetings with some Curia superiors and maintains his motor and respiratory physiotherapy, along with specific exercises to enhance his voice.
The pope was discharged from the hospital at the end of March after experiencing a challenging month with respiratory issues. Two weeks after his release, he made a public appearance following a mass in St. Peter's Square for 'World Day of the Sick.' Addressing the more than 20,000 attendees, he shared, "Good Sunday to all, thank you for everything," while still using nasal cannulas for oxygen. He expressed solidarity with the sick, stating, "Dear brothers and sisters who are ill, I share much with you at this moment in my life: the experience of illness, of feeling weak, of depending on others for many things, of needing support."
As Holy Week unfolds, the Vatican remains hopeful for the pope's continued recovery and participation in the sacred events that define this significant time in the Christian calendar.
