Pope Francis presides at Mass on Easter Sunday

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

As the Church celebrates the most holy day of the Christian calendar, Pope Francis presided at Mass on Easter Sunday in St. Peter’s Square to mark the Lord’s Resurrection.

On Easter Sunday, tens of thousands of faithful filled a spring-like St. Peter’s Square.

The Pope presided over the Mass on the Solemnity of the Resurrection of the Lord, or, simply, Easter Sunday.

As per tradition dating back to 1985, the Vatican Square was decorated with flowers from the Netherlands.

Pope Francis at Easter Mass

Since the Pope had already delivered his Easter homily at the Easter Vigil Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica the night before, the Holy Father did not deliver another homily, as is usually the case at this daytime Mass.

During the Easter Vigil Mass, the Holy Father reflected on the surprise and amazement of the women who had visited the tomb where Jesus had been laid and detailed the incredible story of the Lord’s Resurrection.

After the Easter Mass this morning, the Pope delivers the noon-day Urbi et Orbi from the central loggia, or balcony, of St. Peter’s Basilica, offering his Apostolic blessing to the people of Rome and the whole world.

First, however, the Pope circled among the joyful pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square and all along Via della Conciliazione, happily greeting them as he waved from his popemobile.

Pope Francis circles to wave to crowds after Easter Mass

The Easter Mass on Sunday morning continues the Easter Triduum, which concludes with Vespers on Sunday evening.

However, the Easter liturgical season will continue through the Solemnity of Pentecost in May.