2024-03-31 23:28:59
There are concerns about the health of the 87-year-old Pope. Francis arrived in a wheelchair to lead at 10 a.m. local and Lithuanian time for the mass that started in cloudy and windy weather, it was broadcast live all over the world. Easter Sunday marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the culmination of Holy Week, the most important holiday of the year for 1.3 billion people. Catholics of the world.
At noon, Francis pronounced a blessing on “The City and the World.”
Delivering his traditional Easter message at the Vatican, Francis called on Russia and Ukraine to exchange prisoners as the war continues into its third year. “I call for respect for the principles of international law and express the hope that Russia and Ukraine will exchange all prisoners,” he told tens of thousands of St. Catholics gathered in Peter’s Square.
The Pope also called once again for the release of the Israeli hostages and an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. New ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas are expected to begin soon.
“I am again asking for humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, and I am once again calling for the immediate release of the October 7. hostages and immediately cease fire in the Gaza Strip,” Francis said.
The Pope urged the world to resist the “logic of arms” and condemned war, calling it “always absurd and a defeat”. He mentioned not only the conflicts in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, but also in Sudan, Myanmar and elsewhere.
“Let’s not let the growing wind of war blow into Europe and the Mediterranean. Let us not succumb to the logic of arms and armaments,” he said.
Francis also urged world leaders to “spare no effort in combating the scourge of human trafficking” to free its victims.
Before the blessing, Francis drove in the “papamobile” past cheering crowds, pilgrims shouted: “Long live the Pope!”, waved flags and took pictures.
2024-03-31 23:28:59