Pope Francis's last week: How the Catholic leader spent his final days

(NewsNation) — Pope Francis spent his final days celebrating Holy Week, the seven days leading up to Easter Sunday.

Francis, the 266th head of the Catholic Church, died Monday, the Vatican confirmed. His death came just a day after Easter and nearly a month since his release from a lengthy hospital stay.

Despite health concerns, Francis made several public appearances over the holiday and called for peace as he commemorated the most sacred time of the Christian calendar.

The pope opened Holy Week celebrations April 13 with an in-person appearance in St. Peter's Square. Francis, unaided by supplemental oxygen as he had been previously, wished more than 20,000 onlookers a “Happy Palm Sunday, Happy Holy Week."

Francis spent Holy Thursday visiting Rome's Regina Coeli prison, where he met with nearly 70 inmates. His health complications prevented him from washing the feet of 12 people — a reenactment of Jesus Christ's acts to his apostles before his crucifixion.

He told the inmates he wanted to be with them, however, and “do what Jesus did on Holy Thursday."

On Good Friday, Francis opted out of attending an annual procession at Rome's Colosseum, Reuters reported.

Though Francis did not preside over the Easter Mass held in St. Peter's Square piazza on Sunday — it was delegated to Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the retired archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica — he did make a surprise appearance to bless believers.

Francis oversaw a Latin blessing from the basilica's loggia balcony before taking a turn around the piazza in his popemobile.

In a speech, read by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, master of liturgical ceremonies, Francis appealed for peace in Gaza and Ukraine, as well as Congo and Myanmar. He also advocated for mercy on the "vulnerable, the marginalized, and migrants."

"I appeal to all those in positions of political responsibility in our world not to yield to the logic of fear, which only leads to isolation from others, but rather to use the resources available to help the needy, to fight hunger, and to encourage initiatives that promote development," the speech read.

As Francis wished the bustling crowd a happy Easter, he was met with cheers of "Viva il papa!” (Long live the pope) and “Bravo!”

On Sunday, Francis also met with Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic convert. The Vatican said the encounter lasted just a few minutes and was designed to allow for an exchange of Easter greetings.

In the wake of the pope's passing, Vance shared condolences on social media for the "millions of Christians all over the world who loved him."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.