Pope Francis’ Easter Sunday 2025 Holy Mass, Urbi et Orbi blessing at the Vatican: watch the video

Pope delegates Holy Week duties

As he continues to recover from a life-threatening bout of pneumonia, which hospitalized him for five weeks, Pope Francis has delegated his Holy Week duties to cardinals.

According to a schedule shared by the Holy See, Cardinal Angelo Comastri is to preside over Holy Mass and, seemingly, deliver the pontiff's Urbi et Orbi message.

However, it is being reported that the pope could yet play a role in today's celebrations, potentially making a surprise appearance on the St. Peter's Basilica balcony for the Urbi et Orbi blessing. 

Yesterday, the pope briefly visited St. Peter's before the Holy Saturday Easter Vigil. The Vigil was presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re.

Easter Sunday Holy Mass and Urbi et Orbi message: welcome

Today, Easter Sunday 2025, the Vatican is the venue for Easter Morning Mass at St Peter’s Basilica, followed by the pope’s traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing.

Mass is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. local time, which translates into a 4:30 a.m. ET/1:30 a.m. PT start in the U.S. The Urbi et Orbi message then takes at midday local time (6:00 a.m. ET/3:00 a.m. PT).