“Pope Francis called for peace in a world marked by war and conflict, “beginning with the beloved and long-suffering land of Syria” and extending to Israel, where 15 Palestinians were killed before Sunday. His Easter message was delivered from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to a packed square of some 80,000 faithful below.
Easter celebration in Vatican
“It bears fruits of hope and dignity where there are deprivation and exclusion, hunger and unemployment; where there are migrants and refugees, so often rejected by today’s culture of waste, and victims of the drug trade, human trafficking and contemporary forms of slavery,” the pope said. Francis expressed hope that talks underway could bring peace to the Korean peninsula, urging “those who are directly responsible act with wisdom and discernment to promote the good of the Korean people.” The Pope addressed the enire world. He urged more steps to bring harmony to divided Ukraine, called for peace in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo and appealed for the world not to forget victims of conflict, especially children. Heavy security checks to enter St. Peter’s Square to participate in Easter Sunday Mass were in place. Those included bag checks and metal detector wands.
Pope Francis called for peace in a world marked by war and conflict