Vatican: Christians around the world celebrated Easter yesterday in remembrance of the resurrection of Christ. Pope Francis led the Easter prayers at St. Peter’s Basilica.
The pope said the days of marking the horrors of war were over and called for peace.
Praising the courage of the people of Ukraine, the pope announced that he was with them in times of misery. He ended his message by saying in Ukrainian that Christ had risen.
The mayor of Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov, who was detained by Russian troops and later released, and his family, along with three Ukrainian politicians, attended a ceremony at the Vatican.
The pope did not lead the Mass because of health problems. He read the sermon while sitting on a white chair in front of St. Peter’s Basilica.