CNA Staff

By CNA Staff

Vatican City, Apr 19, 2025 / 20:25 pm

Catholics celebrated Easter Vigil in the Holy Night at St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on Saturday, marking what Pope Francis in his homily said was the moment when “the divine light of the Resurrection begins to shine” and “the Lord’s passover from death to life takes place as the sun is about to rise.”

Still recovering from his bout with pneumonia, the Holy Father delegated the liturgy to be celebrated by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who read the pope’s homily during the Mass.

Hundreds of clergy were in attendance, including nearly three dozen cardinals.

Clergy are assembled for the Easter Vigil at St. Peter’s Basilica, Saturday, April 19, 2025. Credit: Zosia Czubak
Clergy are assembled for the Easter Vigil at St. Peter’s Basilica, Saturday, April 19, 2025. Credit: Zosia Czubak
A priest distributes holy Communion during the Easter Vigil at St. Peter’s Basilica, Saturday, April 19, 2025. Credit: Zosia Czubak
A priest distributes holy Communion during the Easter Vigil at St. Peter’s Basilica, Saturday, April 19, 2025. Credit: Zosia Czubak
A crucifix is held aloft during the Easter Vigil at St. Peter’s Basilica, Saturday, April 19, 2025. Credit: Zosia Czubak
A crucifix is held aloft during the Easter Vigil at St. Peter’s Basilica, Saturday, April 19, 2025. Credit: Zosia Czubak
A member of the Swiss Guard is seen during the Easter Vigil at St. Peter's Basilica, Saturday, April 19, 2025. Credit: Zosia Czubak
A member of the Swiss Guard is seen during the Easter Vigil at St. Peter's Basilica, Saturday, April 19, 2025. Credit: Zosia Czubak
The Paschal Candle is seen during the Easter Vigil at St. Peter's Basilica, Saturday, April 19, 2025. Credit: Zosia Czubak
The Paschal Candle is seen during the Easter Vigil at St. Peter's Basilica, Saturday, April 19, 2025. Credit: Zosia Czubak

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Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re presides over the Easter Vigil at St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, April 19, 2025. Credit: Zosia Czubak
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re presides over the Easter Vigil at St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, April 19, 2025. Credit: Zosia Czubak
Three catechumens are seen during the Easter Vigil at St. Peter's Basilica, Saturday, April 19, 2025. Credit: Zosia Czubak
Three catechumens are seen during the Easter Vigil at St. Peter's Basilica, Saturday, April 19, 2025. Credit: Zosia Czubak

CNA Staff
The Catholic News Agency (CNA) Staff is a team of journalists dedicated to reporting news concerning the Catholic Church around the world. Our bureaus are located in Washington, D.C., and Rome. We have sister language agencies in Kenya, Germany, Peru, Brazil, and Italy. CNA is a service of EWTN News. You can contact us at news@catholicna.com with questions.