Pope Francis asked prayers for the Ukrainian and Russian peoples, lauded nations that accept immigrants. And urged Israelis and Palestinians besieged by the recent increase in deadly violence to create a “climate of trust”. As Pope delivered his Easter message on Sunday.
Francis said Easter Mass in a flower-adorned St. Peter’s Square with dozens of prelates. And tens of thousands of faithful, reinforcing the Christian belief that Jesus resurrected from the dead days after his crucifixion.
The 86-year-old pontiff capped the event with a typical statement about the world’s problematic places. Francis said Easter’s joy “illumines the darkness and gloom. In which, all too often, our world finds itself enveloped,” encouraging “trust among individuals, peoples, and nations.”
The pope’s Easter message is known by its Latin name, ”Urbi et Orbi,” which means “to the city and the world.”
Since Russia’s February 2022 invasion of neighbouring Ukraine. Francis has consistently called for a halt to the hostilities and asked for prayers for the “martyred” Ukrainian people.
Ukrainian diplomats have claimed that he has not been harsh enough in his words towards Russia. Notably Russian President Vladimir Putin, in order to avoid alienating Moscow.
“Help the beloved Ukrainian people on their journey towards peace, and shed the light of Easter upon the people of Russia,″ Pope implored God in his Easter speech. Which he delivered while sitting in a chair on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica facing the square. ”Comfort the wounded and all those who have lost loved ones because of the war, and grant that prisoners may return safe and sound to their families.”
He urged the international community to work to end the war in Ukraine and “all conflict and bloodshed in the world. Beginning with Syria, which still awaits peace.”
Francis also prayed for families who lost loved ones in the two-month-old earthquake that rocked Syria and Turkey, killing tens of thousands.
With the recent resurgence of deadly violence affecting both Israelis and Palestinians. Francis called for a “resumption of dialogue, in a climate of trust and reciprocal respect, between Israelis and Palestinians. So that peace may reign in the Holy City and in the entire region,” referring to Jerusalem.