The 88-year-old pope, limiting his workload on doctors’ orders, did not preside over the Vatican’s Mass for Easter but appeared at the end of the event for a twice-yearly blessing and message known as the “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world).

Before a five-week hospital stay for pneumonia, which nearly killed him, Francis had been ramping up criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, calling the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave “very serious and shameful” in January.

In the Easter message, the pontiff said the situation in Gaza was “dramatic and deplorable”.

“I express my closeness to the sufferings […] of all the Israeli people and the Palestinian people,” said the message.

“I appeal to the warring parties: call a ceasefire, release the hostages and come to the aid of a starving people that aspires to a future of peace,” it said.

Hamas last week rejected an Israeli proposal for another temporary truce, instead demanding a deal to end the war in exchange for the release of hostages.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday he had instructed the Israeli military to intensify pressure on Hamas.

The Gaza health ministry says 1,600 people have been killed in the past month.

Earlier, the Holy See’s press service has said the pope hopes to attend but has not confirmed his participation, insisting it depends on his health.

That did not stop crowds of faithful from gathering Sunday under hazy skies in the sprawling plaza decorated with brightly-coloured tulips in front of St Peter’s Basilica, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Jesuit pope.