Easter Mass in the Vatican started without Pope Francis.

In the Vatican, the Easter celebrations began without the participation of Pope Francis, as he is still recovering from a serious illness. Instead, Cardinal Angelo Comastri officiated the mass before thousands of people in St. Peter's Square.

The pontiff has appeared in public only a few times since returning to the Vatican after a long hospitalization. He missed some of the solemnities of Good Friday and Holy Saturday, but it was expected that he would be present on Sunday.

Traditionally, Easter in the Vatican includes a mass and the Pope's 'Urbi et Orbi' speech, which usually addresses global issues and the suffering of humanity.

Francis has reduced his workload to follow doctors' recommendations for a two-month recovery. He still seems to have a lot of difficulty speaking and his breathing is labored.

The Metropolitan of Kyiv and all Ukraine, Epiphanius, published an Easter message for the Orthodox believers of Ukraine.