The Pope, who appeared slightly congested and used a wheelchair, had missed the previous event to save his strength for the vigil and the upcoming Easter Sunday Mass.

Having battled respiratory issues throughout the winter, including bronchitis and colds, the 87-year-old Pope has had to modify his schedule, including delegating speech reading to aides and canceling certain appearances.

His health has recently led to the cancellation of a trip to Dubai and adjustments to significant Vatican ceremonies. Despite these challenges, Francis, who has previously undergone surgery for his large intestine and experiences mobility issues, remains committed to his duties, stating he has many plans to fulfill.