Representative for Pope on Holy Days known – but what about Easter?

Pope Francis is still on the road to recovery after his serious lung disease. Nevertheless, his participation in the Easter celebrations has not yet been finalised, the Vatican press office announced on Tuesday. The public highlight of the celebrations, in which Christians remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is the blessing"Urbi et orbi" ("To the city and the world") on Easter Sunday (20 April), which the Pope normally gives from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica and which is broadcast around the world. Francis has once again appointed some of his cardinals for the upcoming Holy Week events, the most important time of the church year, leading up to Easter.

Cardinal Domenico Calcagno, President Emeritus of the Vatican's administration of goods Apsa, will preside over the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday (17 April) at 9:30 a.m. in St. Peter's Basilica, where the holy oils for baptism and confirmation will be consecrated. Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, will preside at the Mass on Good Friday (18 April) at 5 pm in St Peter's Basilica. Cardinal Baldo Reina will lead the traditional Stations of the Cross from 9.15 pm at the Colosseum; in previous years, the Pope was unable to attend the celebration for health reasons. The texts for this occasion were prepared by Francis.

No information yet on foot washing and Easter Vigil

The Vatican has not yet provided any information about the custom of washing feet on Maundy Thursday. In recent years, Francis has washed the feet of people in a Roman prison or in social institutions on this day, in memory of the Last Supper, when Jesus washed the disciples' feet.

There is also as yet no information about who will preside over the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday in St Peter's Basilica and the Easter Sunday Mass in St Peter's Square, followed by the blessing "Urbi et orbi". The Vatican will announce this on Friday. Once again, it was said that 88-year-old Francis' participation would also depend on the weather.

The Pope's recovery in his flat in the Vatican's Santa Marta guest house continues to progress, both in terms of his motor skills and his breathing and voice. He had not worn oxygen cannulas during his excursions last week. The Pope continues to work, make decisions and receive members of the Vatican Curia; most recently, for example, the Prefect for Beatifications and Canonisations, Cardinal Marcello Semeraro. Among other things, this involved further steps towards the beatification of the Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi, creator of the world-famous "Sagrada Familia" basilica in Barcelona. (KNA)