In his Easter message, Pope Francis called for an end to wars

While he continues to recover from the bronchitis for which he was hospitalized last week, this Sunday, Pope Francis celebrated Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Square and called for an end to open wars and conflicts in the world. I express my deep concern over the attacks of recent days, which threaten the desired climate of trust and mutual respect, necessary to resume dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians, so that peace may reign in the Holy City and throughout the region”, said the Supreme Pontiff as he gave the Urbi et Orbi (to Rome and the world) blessing from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. Before the more than 100,000 people who gathered at the Vatican.The Pope’s request was given after Israeli police stormed a mosque last Wednesday to violently evict Muslim worshippers and began a new spiral of violence in the region, which yesterday saw attacks in Tel Aviv and the West Bank that left at least three dead and six wounded.Pope Francis celebrated Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday and called for an end to open wars and conflicts in the world. Photo: Reuters (Vatican media).In this line, Francis reviewed several of the conflicts that exist in the world and pleaded for help for “the beloved Ukrainian people on the road to peace” and that “Easter light be instilled upon the Russian people.” Comfort the wounded and those who have lost loved ones to the war, and make it possible for prisoners to return safely to their families,” he added. In his message, Pope Francis also recalled persecuted Christian communities in different countries, including Nicaragua, where the government banned Holy Week and Easter processions amid a fierce confrontation with the Vatican.

Original source in Spanish