The Pope uses his Urbi and Orbi Easter blessings to pray for peace and brotherhood in countries around the world affected by war, famine and hardship.
The Pope, 86, has returned to his papal functions after a recent hospitalization due to bronchitis, reports RTE.
On the tenth Easter of his pontificate, Pope Francis prayed for “the beloved Ukrainian people” on their way towards peace and asked that “the light of Easter” be shed on the people of Russia.
The pontiff used the papal speech to ask for “a resumption of dialogue, in a climate of trust and reciprocal respect” between Israelis and Palestinians, so that peace can prevail in the Holy City and throughout the region, reports RTE.
Francis said that the Tunisian people, especially the young and those suffering from social and economic difficulties, must be reminded not to lose hope and to work together to build a future of peace and fraternity.
TheLiberal.ie won’t quit
Please support us with a small donation on PayPal!
He prayed that the efforts of political actors and the international community be supported to find a definitive solution to the many problems in Haiti, which have caused a “grave” social, economic and humanitarian crisis.
The Pope also called for the “consolidation” of the peace and reconciliation processes in Ethiopia and South Sudan, and an end to the violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Remembering the communities prevented from professing their faith freely and publicly, he prays for the comfort of the victims of international terrorism, especially in Burkina Faso, Mali, Mozambique and Nigeria.
“Let us make haste to surmount our conflicts and divisions, and to open our hearts to those in greatest need. Let us hasten to pursue paths of peace and fraternity,” he said, reports RTE.
He presided over a vigil mass in the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Basilica last night, denouncing the “icy winds of war” and other injustices in a two-and-a-half-hour ceremony before 8,000 people.
However, on Friday evening, he stayed away from the Good Friday service as a precaution, the Vatican said, because he was bitterly cold.
It was the first time he missed the ceremony during his pontifical tenure, which began in 2013.
The Pope was released from hospital on April 1 after a three-night stay and has attended various events since his release, including washing the feet of 12 young detainees on Maundy Thursday, reports RTE.
But his health has become increasingly fragile in recent months, and he now uses a wheelchair due to knee pain.
Easter is the most important day in the Christian liturgical calendar because it commemorates the death and resurrection of Christ.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
