The 87-year-old pulled out of this year's Good Friday procession at the Colosseum to protect his health ahead of other Easter engagements.
Pope Francis has presided over the Vatican's sombre Easter Vigil service, a day after making the last-minute decision to skip his participation in the Good Friday procession at the Colosseum as a health precaution. Francis entered the darkened, silent St Peter's Basilica in his wheelchair, took his place in a chair and offered an opening prayer.
The Vatican had said Francis skipped the Good Friday procession to ensure his participation in both the vigil service Saturday night, which usually lasts about two hours, and Easter Sunday Mass a few hours later. The 87-year-old, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, has been battling respiratory problems all winter that have made it difficult for him to speak at length. He and the Vatican have said he has had bronchitis, a cold or the flu.
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