The Vatican has published the official schedule for Holy Week celebrations, but it has not confirmed whether Pope Francis will preside over the events. The Pope was recently discharged from the hospital after 38 days of recovering from double pneumonia.
According to the schedule, Holy Week will begin on Palm Sunday, April 13, with Mass in St. Peter’s Square at 10 a.m. local time. The Chrism Mass will occur on Thursday, April 17, in St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by the Lord’s Supper and the Way of the Cross on Good Friday.
The Easter Vigil will be celebrated on Holy Saturday, April 19, in St. Peter’s Basilica, and Easter Sunday Mass will take place on 20 April in St. Peter’s Square, followed by the urbi et orbi blessing.
The Vatican has indicated that Pope Francis’ participation in these events will depend on his health, which is expected to improve in the coming weeks. The Pope’s doctors have prescribed complete rest for at least two months, and it is expected that he will be able to resume his full schedule by the end of May.