Pope Francis appeals to Russians on Ukraine, condemns Middle East violence in Easter message

Vatican City: pope francis An Easter message to the world on Sunday (April 9) appeared to call on Russians to seek the truth about their aggression against Ukraine, and called for dialogue between Israel and Palestine in the wake of recent violence.

Francis, 86, presided over a solemn Easter Mass in sunny St. Peter’s Square after unseasonably cold weather forced him to miss an open-air service on Friday.At the end of March, he was hospitalized with bronchitis.

A carpet of 38,000 flowers donated by the Netherlands decorated the square to commemorate the most important and joyful day in the church’s liturgical calendar, the day Christians believe Jesus rose from the dead. Honorary units of the Vatican’s Swiss Guard and the Italian Carabinieri Police both stood in ceremonial attire.

But traditional pomp and sacred singing have been superseded by modern realities. Francis then ascended to the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to deliver his biannual “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) message and blessing, addressing a crowd estimated by the Vatican of about 100,000. I was.

There, on election night 2013, from the same place where he first appeared to the world as Pope, he spoke of “the darkness and gloom that too often surrounds our world” and prayed. I was. God for peace.

“Help the beloved Ukrainian people on the path to peace and shine the light of Easter on the Russian people.”

Since Russia invaded Ukraine last February, Francis has been at least twice a week Ukraine and Those people as “martyrs” It has used terms such as aggression and brutality to describe Russian behavior.

On Sunday, he said to God, “Comfort all those who have lost wounded and loved ones because of the war, and may the prisoners return to their families safely and in good health. Efforts to end this war” to open the hearts of the entire international community to… and all the conflicts and bloodshed in our world.”

As he did every Easter, Francis called for peace in the Middle East. The recent violence in Jerusalem and cross-border shootouts have made his appeal all the more urgent. Israel, Lebanon and Syria.

“Lord, on this day we entrust to You the city of Jerusalem, the first witnesses of Your resurrection. I would like to express my deepest concern about the situation and to resume dialogue between Israel and Palestine so that peace can be brought to the Holy City and the region as a whole.”

Tensions between Israel and Palestine have surged since last week’s raid by Israeli police Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalemsparked outrage throughout the Arab world.

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During Mass and the reading of his message, Francis, appearing in good shape, was driven in a Popemobile around the square and along the boulevards leading to the Tiber so that more people could see him. .

In his message, Francis also referred to the instability in Lebanon and expressed hope that Myanmar’s “martyrred Rohingya people” “may meet justice,” Victims of the February earthquake that killed nearly 56,000 people in Turkiye and Syria.

In the section of his speech that referred to Nicaragua, the Pope asked God to “remember all those who are prevented from freely and openly professing their faith”.

Relations between the government and the Catholic Church Nicaragua is nervous. The government, which has suspended diplomatic ties with the Vatican, has banned outdoor Holy Week processions this year.