• Before his death, Pope Francis gave the traditional Easter blessing and met with Vice President JD Vance
• He also met with inmates at a prison in Rome and appeared for the start of Holy Week by giving a blessing on Palm Sunday
• “At this time of physical weakness, they help me to feel God’s closeness, compassion and tenderness even more,” he told the crowd

Hours before Pope Francis died on Monday, April 21, he surprised thousands as he gave his Easter blessing and also met with Vice President JD Vance. 

His continued public appearances belied his fragile health: He died Monday about a month after he was discharged from the hospital, where he had spent 38 days being treated for double pneumonia and other complications.

While the pope, 88, was still recovering, he sounded stronger in his final appearances than he had following his release on March 23 and had a round of outings leading up to Christianity’s most important holiday on Sunday, April 20. 

Pope Francis gave his traditional blessing from the balcony on Easter Sunday. Stefano Costantino/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty

On Sunday, Pope Francis gave his traditional Easter blessing at St. Peter’s Square and rode around in the popemobile to the happy surprise of the thousands who had come to celebrate, according to the Associated Press.

During his Easter address, also known as the Urbi et Orbi, which was presented by a clergy member as the pope sat alongside him, Francis called for peace, especially in Ukraine and Gaza. 

“What a great thirst for death, for killing, we see in the many conflicts raging in different parts of the world,” he warned.

But “there can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and respect for the views of others,” he said.

The pope was also met with cries of “Viva il Papa!” (long live the pope) as he was driven through the square. 

Vice President JD Vance and Pope Francis met on April 20 in Vatican City. Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty

Before his Easter blessing, Francis met briefly with Vice President Vance — who has differed with him on key issues before — at the Casa Santa Marta.

The men discussed religious freedom, the international wars currently going on and humanitarian issues, according to the Vatican.

“I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill,” Vance, 40, wrote in a statement on X on Monday. “But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful.” 

Pope Francis visited inmates at a prison in Rome on Holy Thursday. Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty

In celebration of Holy Thursday last week, Francis traveled to Regina Coeli prison in Rome and greeted the approximately 70 inmates personally, according to the Vatican. 

“I have always liked coming to prison on Holy Thursday to do the washing of the feet like Jesus,” the pope told those gathered. “This year, I cannot do it, but I want to be close to you. I pray for you and your families.”

The prisoners responded by shouting “pray for us!” and “freedom!” according to the Vatican. 

“Pray for me,” the pope responded.

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Pope Francis greeted Cardinals at St. Peter’s Square on Palm Sunday. Stefano Costantino/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty

To honor the beginning of Holy Week, Francis made an appearance at St. Peter’s Square on Palm Sunday, April 13.

“Happy Palm Sunday, Happy Holy Week,” he told the 20,000 attendees, according to NPR.

The pope attended the in-person appearance without oxygen, unlike previous events following his respiratory illness. 

He thanked those present for their continued prayers: “At this time of physical weakness, they help me to feel God’s closeness, compassion and tenderness even more.”