Raising his left hand towards a crying boy, this is the moment Pope Francis gave his last public blessing as he drove through St Peter’s Square for the last time.
Footage of the brief exchange yesterday is now deeply poignant following the pontiff’s death today at the age of 88.
Francis blessed four tiny babies and two older children during the circuit in his popemobile through cheering crowds gathered to celebrate Easter Sunday, with the youngsters passed up to him by members of his security detail.
The outing was the longest time he had spent in public since spending five weeks in hospital being treated for double pneumonia.
Earlier he had appeared on the Vatican balcony and told crowds, ‘Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter’, before an aide read the rest of his annual Urbi et Orbi blessing and speech, which called for an end to wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
On his way to the basilica, Francis met briefly with US Vice President JD Vance, who was spending Easter in Rome with his family. The Vatican said the encounter was ‘brief’ and lasted a few minutes.
Pope Francis blesses in child yesterday in what would be his last public blessing
Francis blessed four tiny babies and two older children during the circuit in his popemobile
Catholics traditionally bring the young and sick to the Vatican to receive a blessing
Francis became the first pope from outside Europe in 1,300 years when he was chosen to replace the retiring Pope Benedict XVI.
Despite several previous health issues and reduced mobility caused in part by his advancing years and expanding waistline, Francis had kept up a busy schedule until his final weeks.
In September 2024, he carried out a 12-day tour across south-east Asia and Oceania that included visits to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Singapore.
Among those to meet the pope during his final days were the King and Queen, who saw him just 12 days ago.
The couple’s historic state visit to the Vatican in early April was cancelled because of the Pope’s poor health, but the pair managed to visit the head of the Roman Catholic Church privately during their trip to Italy.
Charles and Camilla’s meeting with the Pope in what would be his final weeks was arranged at the last minute and took place on their 20th wedding anniversary on April 9, with the pontiff wanting to personally wish them a happy anniversary.
Earlier, Francis had briefly wished crowds a happy Easter before a deputy took over to read the rest of his address
A young child is blessed by the pope during his circuit around St Peter’s Square
Francis had been trying to meet as many of the faithful as possible despite his declining health
A senior Palace official said afterwards: ‘I think outside of the official programme, the most significant and indeed moving thing was that visit to the Pope.
‘We didn’t know until the last minute that it would be possible. But when the Pope asked if he could see the King and Queen, Their Majesties were clearly very pleased; after all, they have known him over many years and with the rest of the world, have been praying for his recovery.
‘The Pope wanted personally to wish them a happy anniversary, not least because it hadn’t been possible to do the state visit on this occasion.
‘Their Majesties both came away feeling that it had been a very significant and special moment.’
Earlier on Easter Sunday, Francis had met US Vice President JD Vance, who arrived in Rome with his family
Masses of faithful gathered Sunday under hazy skies in the sprawling plaza
Catholics regularly take children who are young or sick to the Vatican to receive a blessing from the pope.
A nine-day mourning period will now begin in Francis’ honour, with his funeral in around four to six days’ time after his body lies in state in St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
Italy also usually declares a period of national mourning.
Two to three weeks later, the conclave to elect a new pope convenes, with the College of Cardinals locked inside the the Sistine Chapel to vote in secret four times a day until a candidate receives a two-thirds majority, with a white smoke signal released through a chimney to announce a pope has been chosen.
