By MIRIAM KUEPPER
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Pope Francis spent his final day celebrating Easter Sunday with Catholic faithful in St Peter's Square.
An aide to the 88-year-old pontiff delivered his 'Urbi et Orbi' benediction from a balcony overlooking the square following mass to mark the holiday.
Images showed Francis in traditional white robes on the central lodge of St Peter's Basilica as he waved to the eager crowds.
Thousands of faithful gathered under hazy skies in the sprawling plaza decorated with brightly-coloured tulips yesterday, hoping to catch a glimpse of the pontiff on what turned out to be his last appearance before his death was announced today.
Francis was released from hospital on March 23, after five weeks of treatment for pneumonia. In February, the world held its breath as the Vatican announced the Pope – who last part of his lung as a child - was struggling to breathe and needed oxygen.
Surprisingly, the Pope was not wearing a nasal cannula hooked up to oxygen when he was driven through the crowd of 35,000 faithful yesterday after wearing it during previous public appearances following his hospital release.
For about 50 minutes, the pontiff's vehicle slowly moved through the masses, but Italian media now speculate that doctors would have advised against him bathing in the crowd as he was likely immunocompromised following his pneumonia battle.
Pope Francis spent his final day celebrating Easter Sunday with Catholic faithful in St Peter's Square
A man can be seen holding a bottle of water with a straw to the Pope's mouth
Pope Francis greets a little girl during the Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square a day before his death was announced by the Vatican
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Images showed Francis in traditional white robes on the central lodge of St Peter's Basilica as he waved to the eager crowds
Thousands of faithful gathered under hazy skies in the sprawling plaza decorated with brightly-coloured tulips yesterday, hoping to catch a glimpse of the pontiff on what turned out to be his last appearance before his death was announced today
Pope Francis meets with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and delegation during an audience at Casa Santa Marta on April 20, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican
Pope Francis meets with US Vice President JD Vance and delegation during an audience at Casa Santa Marta on April 20, 2025 in Vatican City
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- Watch video Man ziplines as gun shots sound and people flee beneath him
- Watch video Brave man fleas for his life as polar bear charges towards him
- Watch video Flight attendant gets hilarious shock when she sees her room's 'view'
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- Watch video Shocking moment speedboat's 200mph record attempt goes horribly wrong
- Watch video Terrifying moment acrobat crashes during circus stunt
- Watch video Moment speedboat flips going 200mph
- Watch video Stunning images capture rare albino killer whale swimming with orcas
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The pontiff appeared tired as he sat on the balcony overlooking the masses of faithful gathered on St Peter's Square
The Pope smiled as he greeted a woman
For about 50 minutes, the pontiff's vehicle - dubbed the Pope mobile - slowly moved through the masses, but Italian media now speculate that doctors would have advised against him bathing in the crowd as he was likely immunocompromised following his pneumonia battle
Surprisingly, the Pope was not wearing a nasal cannula hooked up to oxygen when he was driven through the crowd of 35,000 faithful yesterday after wearing it during previous public appearances following his hospital release
The 88-year-old pontiff delivered his 'Urbi et Orbi' benediction from a balcony overlooking the square following mass to mark the holiday
Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the popemobile after the Easter mass
The Pope was sitting in a wheelchair as he waved to the crowd from the main balcony of St Peter's basilica while giving his Urbi et Orbi message
Thousands of faithful crowded around the Pope mobile to catch a glimpse of the pontiff
The Pope said: 'Brothers and Sisters, Happy Easter' before the Urbi et Orbi blessing
Pope Francis greets the faithful at the end of the Easter Mass celebrated by Cardinal Angelo Comastri to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus, at the Vatican, on April 20, 2025
Pope Francis is helped to drink water during the Urbi et Orbi Message to the World at the central Loggia of St. Peter's Basilica, on April 20, 2025
Pope Francis at the main balcony of St Peter's basilica during the Urbi et Orbi message and blessing to the city and the world as part of Easter celebrations
Faithful react as Pope Francis travels on the Pope mobile on the day of the 'Urbi et Orbi'
Pope Francis greets the faithful at the end of the Easter Mass celebrated by Cardinal Angelo Comastri to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus, at the Vatican, on April 20, 2025
Pope Francis greets the faithful after the Urbi et Orbi blessing following the Easter Mass in Saint Peter's Square
Pope Francis greets the crowd from the popemobile after the Easter mass
Pope Francis tours St. Peter's Square in his popemobile after bestowing the Urbi et Orbi
Pope Francis greets the faithful at the end of the Easter Mass led by Cardinal Angelo Comastri
A view from the ceremony at the end of the Easter Mass led by Cardinal Angelo Comastri to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus, at the Vatican, on April 20, 2025
Pope Francis attends the Urbi et Orbi Message to the World at the central Loggia of St. Peter's Basilica, on April 20, 2025
Pope Francis greets the crowd from the Popemobile after the Easter mass
Pope Francis greets the faithful after the Urbi et Orbi blessing following the Easter Mass in Saint Peter's Square
Pope Francis appears on a balcony on the day the 'Urbi et Orbi' (to the city and to the world) message is delivered
Pope Francis attends the Urbi et Orbi blessing following the Easter Mass in Saint Peter's Square, in Vatican City, 20 April 2025
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