In his final act of devotion, Pope Francis offered a heartfelt “Happy Easter” to the world, despite being visibly frail and heavily assisted by his aides.

On Easter Sunday, just a day before his death at age 88, the Pope appeared on the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica, delighting a crowd of 35,000.

Though he was too weak to deliver the blessing himself, he sat quietly as Cardinal Angelo Comastri read it aloud, while assistants helped him drink water and adjusted his vestments.

Due to health concerns following a bout of double pneumonia, Francis had been discharged from the hospital on March 23 under what was described as a “protected discharge.”

Although unable to lead Easter Mass himself, he celebrated the occasion on social media just hours before his death, tweeting:

“Christ is risen! These words capture the entire meaning of our existence, for we were not made for death but for life.”

He also shared the full Urbi et Orbi blessing, delivered by his aide at the Vatican. In what would be his final Easter message, Francis called for peace and an end to global conflicts.

He urged world leaders to stop “sowing seeds of death” and instead turn to “weapons of peace.”

He condemned violence against women and children, and the marginalization of vulnerable communities and migrants.

“I would like all of us to hope anew and to revive our trust in others… For all of us are children of God,” he said. “I would like us to renew our hope that peace is possible!”