Pope overcomes health concerns to lead Easter Sunday Mass

Pope Francis celebrates Easter Mass in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican (Andrew Medichini/AP)

Pope Francis overcame concerns about his health to preside over Easter Sunday Mass, leading tens of thousands of people in a flower-decked St Peter’s Square in one of the most important events of the year.

Just hours after celebrating the two-and-a-half-hour night-time Easter Vigil, the 87-year-old pontiff appeared in good form at the start of the liturgy in the blustery piazza on Sunday.