The Pontiff calls for “disarmament,” a ceasefire, and the release of hostages: “Peace is not possible without true disarmament.”
Pope Francis appeared on the main balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica this Easter Sunday to impart the ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing. “Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter,” said the Pontiff, who remained in a wheelchair throughout the ceremony.
Pope Francis, without nasal cannulas, wished to greet and be present at this second part of the Easter celebration and offered his blessing to everyone. “May the Lord bless us all in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” he said in a weak voice, following the reading by Monsignor Diego Ravelli, Master of the Pontifical Ceremony, who delivered the Easter message, which he recalled to the peoples still in conflict, such as Ukraine, Israel, and Palestine.
“Evil has not disappeared from our history; it will remain until the end, but it no longer holds sway, it no longer has power over those who welcome the grace of this day. Easter is the celebration of life,” he asserted.
CEASEFIRE IN GAZA
The Pope called on the warring parties to “cease fire, release the hostages, and provide aid to those who are hungry and aspire to a future of peace.” “I feel close to the suffering of Christians in Palestine and Israel, as well as to the entire Israeli and Palestinian people. The growing climate of antisemitism that is spreading throughout the world is worrying,” Monsignor Ravelli read.
The Pope’s thoughts also turned to the Christian community in Gaza, where the “terrible conflict continues to bring death and destruction and provoke a dramatic and undignified humanitarian crisis.” “Let us pray for the Christian communities of Lebanon and Syria. While the latter country is facing a delicate moment in its history, they long for stability and participation in the destiny of their respective nations,” the text continued.
He also urged prayer for the Middle East and for Yemen, a country “experiencing one of the worst humanitarian crises.” “I invite everyone to seek solutions through constructive dialogue,” the text emphasized.
The Pope also called for the “disarmament” of countries to achieve a world without wars. “Peace is not possible without true disarmament. The need of each people to provide for its own defense cannot be transformed into a general race for rearmament. The light of Easter invites us to tear down the barriers that create divisions and are fraught with political and economic consequences,” he noted.
POPEMOBILE TOUR
After the Easter celebration, Pope Francis toured Vatican Square aboard the Popemobile, greeting the many pilgrims present.
During his approximately 25-minute tour, the Pontiff asked to stop the vehicle to approach children and babies.
BRIEF MEETING WITH JD VANCE
Prior to the “Urbi et Orbi” blessing, the Pope held a brief meeting with US Vice President JD Vance at his residence in Santa Marta, where he continues his recovery.
The meeting took place “privately” around 11:30 a.m. and lasted a few minutes, giving them “the opportunity to exchange greetings on the occasion of Easter Sunday,” the Vatican said.
Vance, who is on an official visit to Italy, was received this Saturday morning at the Secretariat of State by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, who was accompanied by the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher.
