In one of the busiest liturgical periods at the Vatican, Pope Francis is scheduled to preside over nine Masses, liturgies, and devotions between April 2 and Easter Monday, April 10.
With Pope Francis having been hospitalized for four days for a respiratory infection and released April 1, it was unclear if he would be well enough to participate in the liturgies. He was present for Palm Sunday Mass April 2.
Here is the Vatican’s full schedule for Holy Week and Easter 2023:
Holy Thursday
Pope Francis is set to start Holy Thursday with a Chrism Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at 9:30 a.m. in the presence of cardinals, bishops and priests living in Rome.
During the Mass, Pope Francis, as the bishop of Rome, will bless the oil of the sick, the oil of catechumens and the chrism oil to be used in the diocese during the coming year.
In the evening, the pope will offer Mass at the juvenile detention center “Casal del Marmo,” the same detention center where he offered Holy Thursday Mass in 2013, shortly after his election.
Good Friday
Continuing the liturgies of the Triduum, Pope Francis is scheduled to preside over a celebration for the Passion of the Lord on Good Friday at 5 p.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica.
During this liturgy, the papal preacher Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa will preach on Christ’s crucifixion.
In the evening, Pope Francis will lead the Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum at 9:15 p.m.
Holy Saturday
Pope Francis is scheduled to preside over the Easter Vigil at 7:30 p.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica.
The liturgy begins in darkness with the blessing of the new fire and the preparation of the paschal candle. At the Vatican, cardinals, bishops and priests process through the dark basilica carrying lit candles to signify the light of Christ coming to dispel the darkness.
Pope Francis also typically baptizes new Catholics at this Mass.
Easter Sunday
Pope Francis will preside over Mass in St. Peter’s Square at 10 a.m. After Mass, he will give the annual Easter urbi et orbi blessing, “to the city (of Rome) and to the world,” from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Easter Monday
Pope Francis will mark Easter Monday, also called “Monday of the Angel,” by praying the Angelus at noon from a window of the Apostolic Palace.
Courtney Mares contributed to this report.
