ROME — Pope Francis led the Vatican's serious Easter Vigil ceremony on Saturday evening, delivering a 10-minute speech and baptizing eight people, after unexpectedly choosing not to participate in the Good Friday procession at the Colosseum as a health measure.
Francis came into the dark and quiet St. Peter's Basilica in his wheelchair, sat down, and said an opening prayer. He sounded a little congested and out of breath, then blessed a very decorated Easter candle, the flame of which was shared with other candles until the whole basilica twinkled.
More than an hour later, Francis gave a 10-minute speech in a strong voice, occasionally clearing his throat.
The evening ceremony, one of the most serious and important moments in the Catholic liturgical calendar, remembers the resurrection of Jesus. The Vatican had said Francis skipped the Good Friday procession to make sure he could take part in both the vigil service Saturday evening, which usually lasts about two hours, and Easter Sunday Mass a few hours later.
The 87-year-old Francis, who had part of one lung removed when he was young, has been dealing with breathing problems all winter that have made it hard for him to speak for a long time. He and the Vatican have said he has had bronchitis, a cold, or the flu.
He has canceled some meetings and often asked someone else to read his speeches out loud. But concerns were raised when he completely skipped his Palm Sunday speech last week at the last minute and then suddenly decided on Friday to stay home instead of leading the Way of the Cross procession at the Colosseum re-enacting Christ's crucifixion.
The Vatican said in a short explanation that the decision was made to 'preserve his health.'
The decision seemed to have paid off Saturday night, as Francis was able to say the prayers of the long vigil service, and perform the sacrament of baptism for the eight adults. Baptism is a traditional part of the Vatican's Easter Vigil service.
In his speech, Francis talked about the stone that believers think was taken away from Christ's tomb after his death. Francis urged Catholics to remove the obstacles 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.
