ROME, April 5 (Bernama-dpa) -- Pope Leo XIV will deliver the traditional "Urbi et Orbi" blessing on Sunday, the highlight of the Easter celebrations at the Vatican, German Press Agency (dpa) reported.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the Mass in St Peter’s Square and the subsequent blessing, in the United States (US) pope's first Easter as head of the Roman Catholic Church.
Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, died on Easter Monday last year at the age of 88.
The first pontiff from the US has been the head of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide since May.
There is keen anticipation as to whether he will limit his Easter message to a general appeal for peace or go beyond that, particularly in light of the wars in Ukraine and West Asia. His appearance will be broadcast live to many countries.
According to biblical tradition, Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The 70-year-old Leo has shown himself to be more traditional than his predecessor in recent days.
In remembrance of the Last Supper, Leo washed the feet of 12 priests on Maundy Thursday in the Basilica of St John Lateran in Rome. On this occasion, Francis had gone to prison during his pontificate as a sign of humility.
During the Good Friday procession in Rome, Leo himself carried a cross, unlike his predecessor.
He bestowed the Urbi et Orbi blessing at Christmas and immediately after his election last May. The phrase, which means "to the city and the world" in Latin, refers to the pope's claim to be the leader of global Christianity.
-- BERNAMA-dpa
