In an Easter message on Sunday, Pope Francis invoked prayers for both the Ukrainian and Russian people, praised nations that welcome refugees and called on Israelis and Palestinians wracked by the surge in deadly violence to forge a 'climate of trust.'
A canopy on the edge of steps on the square sheltered the pontiff, who was back in the public eye for the Mass 12 hours after a 2.25-hour long Easter vigil ceremony in St. Peter's Basilica the night before.
Francis was hospitalized March 29-April 1 for treatment of bronchitis. Still recovering, he skipped the traditional Good Friday procession at Rome's Colosseum due to unseasonably cold nighttime temperatures. Near the end of the more than two-hour-long Easter Sunday appearance, Francis seemed to run out of steam. His voice grew hoarse and he interrupted his speech at one point to cough.
He nonetheless made several laps through the square in the popemobile after the Mass, waving and smiling at cheering well-wishers.
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