Pope Francis gave the traditional Easter blessing on Sunday, appearing from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in front of delighted crowds after a brief meeting with Vice President JD Vance in what marks his highest-profile appearance yet since being discharged from hospital.

Pope Francis made a brief appearance on Easter Sunday to bless the thousands of people in St. Peter's Square, drawing cheers and applause from the crowd as he continues his recovery from a near-fatal bout of double pneumonia.

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff and a global symbol of humility and compassion, has passed away at the age of 88. The Vatican confirmed that the Holy Father died at 7:35 AM. As the bells of St.