Pope Francis gave the blessing “Urbi et Orbi” (“to the city and the world”) in St. Peter’s Square in Rome on Easter Sunday. According to the Vatican, some 100,000 worshipers followed the ceremony in St. Peter’s Square. On this occasion, the Holy Father again issued an urgent appeal for peace in Ukraine.
“Help the beloved Ukrainian people on their way to peace and shine your Easter light on the Russian people. Comfort the wounded and those who have lost loved ones in the war, and return the captives safely to their families. Open the hearts of the entire international community to work to end this war and all conflicts,” the pope said.
Pope was concerned about the situation in Syria and Israel
For the faithful, the pope also expressed concern about the situation in Syria. He paid tribute to the victims of the massive earthquakes in Turkey and Syria and condemned the violence in the Middle East in recent days. These attacks threatened the “climate of trust and mutual respect needed to resume dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians so that peace reigns in the Holy City and throughout the region,” the pope said. He also asked for prayers for Lebanon, which is still seeking stability and unity.
Francis also spoke on the issue of migration. He hopes that Tunisia and all those suffering from social and economic problems will not lose hope and work together to build a future in peace.
Remembering forgotten conflicts
The Pope urged peace and reconciliation for Haiti, Ethiopia, Nicaragua and Eritrea. He remembered all those Christians who are prevented from professing their faith freely and in public. He expressed his solidarity with the victims of international terrorism, particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali, Mozambique and Nigeria. The pope also expressed concern over the situation in Myanmar and called for prayer for justice for the troubled Rohingya population. He also asked for comfort for refugees, deportees, political prisoners and migrants, and all who suffer from hunger, poverty and “the ill effects of drug and human trafficking and all forms of slavery”.
Side by side with the pope, who on Sunday delivered the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” blessing from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, was 94-year-old Ernest Simoni, who had been named cardinal by Francis after meeting him during his trip to Albania met in 2014. As a Catholic cleric, Simoni was persecuted by the communist regime of Enver Hoxha.
Tight security in Rome
Pope Francis opened the traditional celebration of the Easter Vigil with 8,000 faithful on Saturday evening. True to tradition, he baptized eight adults who came from countries including Albania, the US, Venezuela and Nigeria. By contrast, the Stations of the Cross at Rome’s Colosseum on Good Friday took place without Pope Francis, who had just been released from hospital last week after being treated for bronchitis.
In Rome, the strictest security measures are in force around Easter celebrations. Anti-terror units and special police forces guard the area around the Vatican. The area around Sint-Pietersplein was cordoned off and equipped with metal detectors. Pilgrims could follow the ceremony with the pope on screens from St. Peter’s Square.
Source: Krone
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