Pope Francis appears on Easter Sunday to deliver blessing

Pope Francis bestows the Urbi et Orbi (Andrew Medichini/AP)

Pope Francis made a brief appearance on Easter Sunday to bless the thousands of people in St Peter’s Square, drawing cheers and applause from the crowd as he continues his recovery from a near-fatal bout of double pneumonia.

“Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter,” Francis said, his voice sounding stronger than it has since his admission to hospital.