During the traditional Easter message Urbi et orbi (To the City and the World), Pope Francis expressed concern about the conflicts in Israel and Palestine. At the same time, he begged God to show Ukraine the way to peace and enlighten the Russian nation. In a roughly ten-minute speech, František also mentioned a number of other international crises.
“I express my deep concern over the attacks that have taken place (in Jerusalem) in recent days, which threaten the atmosphere of mutual trust and respect necessary for the renewal of dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians,” the Pope said. He emphasized that he wishes for peace to reign in Jerusalem and throughout the Holy Land. The Holy Land is a term used for Israel and historic Palestine, i.e. an area of great religious significance for the three world monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam).
In his speech, the Pope also addressed the war in Ukraine, where Russia sent its army last February. Francis asked God to help the “beloved Ukrainian people on the path to peace” and to shine the “Easter light on the Russian people”. He then called on the international community to try to end the war in Ukraine and conflicts in other countries.
The Pope also mentioned a number of other international crises – from the civil war in Syria and Yemen, through the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria to the troubled situation in Haiti, Burma, Tunisia and the Congo.
Pope Francis began his message with the usual words, “dear sisters and brothers, Jesus Christ has risen from the dead.” He called on believers and nations to start building greater trust among themselves. “Let us hasten to overcome borders and strife,” said the Pope, who called for help for refugees and asylum seekers.
45,000 people attended mass in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday before noon, the Vatican police said. The Pope’s message was heard by 100,000 people in the square and in the surrounding streets, Vatican Radio added. This year, the square had a rich floral decoration with approximately 15,000 tulips imported from the Netherlands.
