In his speech, the 88-year-old Argentine, who had been seriously ill with pneumonia, expressed his support for, among other things, religious freedom and freedom of expression.
There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and respect for each other's opinions, he said.
He also warned against the increasing anti-Semitism and called for an end to the war in Gaza.
Then he took a ride around St. Peter's Square. Although he looked weak, it sparked jubilation that the Pope had recovered enough for this, after recently being hospitalized and almost dying.
Before the speech, the Pope also had a brief private meeting with US Vice President JD Vance, who is in Rome with his family and who converted to Catholicism in 2019.
"The meeting, which lasted for five minutes, provided an opportunity to exchange Easter greetings", writes the Vatican in a brief statement.
