Easter

The Latest

Pope Francis at the Easter Vigil Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on April 8, 2023.

Here is Pope Francis’ schedule for Holy Week and Easter 2024 at the Vatican

Feb 29, 2024

By Courtney Mares

The schedule includes five papal liturgies, Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum, and other traditions to mark the most... Read more

Christ's Appearance to Mary Magdalene after the Resurrection /

The Catholic Church celebrates Easter Monday under the title 'Monday of the Angel'

Apr 10, 2023

By ACI Prensa

In many countries in Europe and South America, this day, also known as “Little Easter,” is a national holiday. Read more

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Lent is over. Now what?

Apr 10, 2023

By Matt Hadro

Now that the actual Easter season has begun, how should Catholics observe it? Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims from the pope mobile in St. Peter’s Square on April 5, 2023.

Pope Francis’ advice for Holy Week: Look to the cross, our hope is there

Apr 5, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis has offered advice for how to have a fruitful Holy Week, urging people to focus on the essentials... Read more

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I

Why Catholics and Orthodox might once again celebrate Easter on the same date

Nov 18, 2022

By AC Wimmer

The spiritual leader of the world’s Eastern Orthodox Christians has come out in support of finding a common date to... Read more

Pope Francis at the Divine Mercy Sunday Mass at St. Peter's Basilica on April 24, 2022.

Divine Mercy Sunday 2022: Pope Francis preaches on the peace that God's mercy brings

Apr 24, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

Pope Francis explained three ways that God's mercy should bring about peace in the lives of Christians. Read more

Pope Francis prays at the Easter Vigil Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on April 16, 2022.

Pope Francis at Easter Vigil: The Risen Lord has robbed evil of its power

Apr 16, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis did not preside over the Easter Vigil Mass, but he delivered the homily and baptized seven people. Read more

Dutch flowers decorate St. Peter’s Square for Easter Sunday Mass 2019.

How the tradition of Dutch flowers at the pope’s Easter Mass was saved

Apr 16, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

At the start of this year, a Vatican Easter tradition hung in the balance. Read more

Pope Francis delivers a Regina Coeli address in the library of the Apostolic Palace.

Pope Francis at the Regina Coeli: ‘Never tire of seeking the risen Christ’

Apr 5, 2021

At the Regina Coeli, Pope Francis encouraged Christians to “never tire of seeking the risen Christ.” Read more

Pope Francis lights a candle at the Easter Vigil Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on April 3, 2021.

Pope Francis at Easter Vigil: 'The Risen Lord loves us without limits'

Apr 3, 2021

By Courtney Mares

At Vatican's Easter Vigil Mass, Pope Francis said that Jesus’ love is without limits and always provides the grace to... Read more

The paschal candle in St. Peter's Basilica.

The Easter Vigil: ‘the mother of all vigils’

Apr 3, 2021

By ACI Prensa

The Easter Vigil, which takes place Holy Saturday night, “is the greatest and most noble of all solemnities and it... Read more

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

Easter celebrations return to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Mar 31, 2021

Christians will celebrate Easter at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre this year after the storied church remained closed last... Read more

Why the date of Holy Week changes every year

Mar 31, 2021

By ACI Prensa

Every year the dates of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday vary. Read more

Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, in Rome on Oct. 23, 2019.

Vatican cardinal supports common Easter date for Catholics, Orthodox

Mar 12, 2021

The president of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, Cardinal Kurt Koch, has supported a suggestion that Catholics and Orthodox... Read more

Fr. Carlo Purgatorio celebrates the rooftop Mass in Rome.

Roman priest offers Easter Mass on church roof amid coronavirus

Apr 14, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

A pastor at a church in Rome offered Easter Mass from the roof of the church so nearby parishioners could... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates a morning Mass in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta.

The coronavirus crisis forces us to choose between life and love of money, says pope

Apr 13, 2020

We face a fundamental choice as we seek to resolve the coronavirus crisis, Pope Francis said during his morning Mass... Read more

Triduum liturgies took place in an empty St. Peter's Basilica due to the pandemic.

Full text: Pope Francis' Easter Urbi et Orbi Message 2020

Apr 12, 2020

Here is the full text of Pope Francis' Urbi et Orbi message, delivered April 12 at the Basilica of St.... Read more

Pope Francis gives his Easter message before the Urbi et Orbi blessing on April 12, 2020.

Pope Francis’ Easter blessing: May Christ dispel the darkness of our suffering humanity

Apr 12, 2020

By Courtney Mares

In his Easter blessing, Pope Francis called on humanity to unite in solidarity and look to the risen Christ for... Read more

Andrea Bocelli's "Music for Hope" performance will take place Easter Sunday from Milan. Courtesy photo.

Andrea Bocelli will livestream Easter concert from Milan cathedral

Apr 11, 2020

Famed Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli will livestream on Easter Sunday a solo concert from the Santa Maria Nascente cathedral... Read more

Crowds pray the Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum with Pope Francis on Good Friday 2019.

Beauty, drama and pinpoint silence: Easter Triduum memories from Rome

Apr 11, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

As Christians reflect on the reality of the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ during these three momentous days,... Read more