Pope Francis gave the blessing “Urbi et Orbi” (“To the City and the World”) to tens of thousands of people on Easter Sunday in St. Peter’s Square in Rome. According to the Vatican, about 60,000 worshipers watched the ceremony. The Holy Father again urgently called for peace in Ukraine and the Middle East.
“My thoughts go out first and foremost to the victims of the many ongoing conflicts around the world, starting with those in Israel, Palestine and Ukraine. May the Risen Christ open a path of peace for the afflicted people of these regions. “I call for respect for the principles of international law and hope for a general exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine,” Francis said.
‘You can never achieve peace with weapons’
The Pope called for safe humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip and reiterated his calls for the immediate release of the hostages kidnapped on October 7 and for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
“We cannot allow the ongoing hostilities to continue to seriously affect the exhausted civilian population, especially children. We see in their eyes how much they suffer. Your eyes ask us: Why? Why so many deaths? Why so much destruction? War is always an absurdity and a defeat! Let us not allow the winds of war to blow ever stronger over Europe and the Mediterranean. Let us not be guided by the logic of weapons and rearmament. Peace is never created with weapons, but by stretching out our hands and opening our hearts,” the Pope said.
Call for solidarity
He also recalled the conflicts in Syria and Lebanon, as well as the Western Balkans region, where important steps have been taken towards integration into the European project. “May ethnic, cultural and confessional differences not lead to divisions, but rather become a source of enrichment for all of Europe and for the whole world,” Francis said. He also mentioned the talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan “so that, with the support of the international community, they can continue dialogue, come to the aid of the displaced, respect the places of worship of the different denominations and reach a final peace agreement.” as soon as possible.”
The Pope also commemorated the migrants. “May Christ lead all people of good will to unite in solidarity to overcome together the many challenges that the poorest families face in their search for a better life and happiness,” Francis said.
Pope had to cancel appointments again
Pope Francis had already opened the traditional celebration of the Easter Vigil on Saturday evening together with thousands of believers. In keeping with tradition, he baptized eight adults from Albania, Japan, Korea, and Italy, among others.
However, the Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum in Rome on Good Friday took place without Pope Francis, who has had to repeatedly cancel appointments in recent weeks due to bronchitis. The head of the Catholic Church followed the procession in the evening from the Santa Marta guest house where he lives. He joined the prayers of those who gathered with the diocese of Rome at the Colosseum, the Vatican said.
The strictest security measures in Rome
The strictest security measures apply in Rome around the Easter celebrations. Anti-terror units and special police forces monitor the area around the Vatican. The area around St. Peter’s Square was cordoned off and equipped with metal detectors. Pilgrims could watch the ceremony with the Pope on screens from St. Peter’s Square.
Source: Krone
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