(News Nation) – Pope Francis spent his last day celebrating Holy Week, seven days leading up to Easter Sunday.
Francis, the 266th head of the Catholic Church, passed away Monday, the Vatican confirmed. His death came just a day after Easter and almost a month after being released from long hospitalization.
Despite health concerns, Francis appeared in several public places during his holidays, calling for peace in commemoration of the most sacred period of the Christian calendar.
The Pope held a celebration of Holy Week on April 13th and made a face-to-face appearance at St. Peter’s Square. Francis wasn’t supported by supplemental oxygen like he used to, but over 20,000 onlookers wanted “Happy Palm Sunday, Happy Holy Week.”
Francis spent the sacred visit to Rome’s Regina Coli Prison on Thursday, where he met nearly 70 prisoners. His health complications prevented him from washing 12 feet. The act of Jesus Christ is recreated to his apostle before his crucifixion.
He told the prisoners he wanted to be with them, saying, “I did what Jesus did on a holy Thursday.”
On Good Friday, Francis chose to participate in the annual procession at the Colosseum in Rome, Reuters reported.
Francis did not preside over the Easter Mass held at St. Peter Square Piazza on Sunday, but was delegated to the Angelo Comastrial, the retired archbishop of St. Peter’s Cathedral, but made a surprise appearance to celebrate his followers.
Francis oversaw the Latin Blessings from the Basilica’s Lodge Balcony before turning the square in his Popemovie.
In a speech read by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, master of liturgical rituals, Francis called for peace in Gaza and Ukraine, the Congo and Myanmar. He also advocated mercy for “fragile, marginalized, and immigrants.”
“I appeal to all people in our world who are in politically responsible positions to succumb to the logic of fear, not only to lead to isolation from others, but to use the resources available to help the poor, to encourage initiatives that fight hunger and promote development,” the speech read.
Francis wanted a happy Easter for the bustling crowd, so he met the cheers of “Viva Il Dad!” (Living for a long time for the Pope) and “Bravo!”
On Sunday, Francis also met Vice President J.D. Vance, a Catholic convert. The Vatican meets for just a few minutes. Exchange of Easter greetings.
In the wake of the Pope’s death, Vance shared his sadness on social media for the “millions of Christians around the world who loved him.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
