The Pope asks for “help” from the Ukrainians and “light” from the Russians at Easter

Healed after being hospitalized for bronchitis, Francis celebrated Easter Sunday Mass at the Vatican. He also expressed concern about the growing tensions between Israelis and Palestinians. The war in Ukraine was also at the center of the message of Pope Francis this Easter Sunday, who in his Urbi et Orbi blessing asked for “help to the beloved Ukrainian people” and “light” on the Russian people. He was also “concerned” about the escalation of violence between Israel and Palestine.

“Open the hearts of the entire international community to work for an end to this war and all the conflicts that are bloodying the world, starting with Syria, which is still waiting for peace”. St. Peter’s Basilica, in St. Peter’s Square, according to Vatican data.

Francis, who was discharged from hospital last week after being hospitalized for bronchitis, shared his message after Easter Sunday mass from the balcony of the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Like last year, the pope called for an end to the war in Ukraine a week after he called for an “Easter truce” in his Palm Sunday address, which has not been achieved.

“Help the beloved Ukrainian people on their path to peace and shed the Easter light on the Russian people. Console the wounded and those who have lost loved ones in the war and make sure that the prisoners can return safely to their families” , he has declared. dad.

In Friday’s Via Crucis, which the pope did not go to to protect himself from the cold, the Vatican inserted a message written by a young Ukrainian and another by a Russian at one of the 14 stations along the way.

The Ukrainian recalled his family’s exile and his father’s recruitment, while the Russian hinted at a “sense of guilt” and mourned the loss of his brother, killed in battle, although the gesture was contested by the Ukrainian embassy before the Holy See to “match” the two countries.

Concern for Israel and Palestine

Francis then cited his concern about the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East after the escalation of violence in recent days.

“On this day, Lord, we entrust to you the city of Jerusalem, the first witness of your resurrection. I express deep concern for the attacks of recent days, which threaten the hoped-for climate of trust and mutual respect, necessary to resume dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians, for peace to reign in the Holy City and throughout the region”.

He also dedicated a few words to the victims of the February earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, where more than 55,000 people died, mainly in the Kurdistan region.

Libya, Tunisia, Haiti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, the Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Burkina Faso, Mali, Mozambique and Nigeria were also present in his speech.

Only Latin America did the pontiff refer to when he asked for “Christian communities to celebrate Easter in particular circumstances, such as in Nicaragua”.

“Comfort refugees, deportees, political prisoners and immigrants, especially the most vulnerable, as well as all those who suffer from hunger, poverty and the harmful effects of drug trafficking, trafficking in human beings and all forms of slavery”, he said, before granting a plenary indulgence to those present.

bl (Efe, Lusa)

Source: Terra

Rose

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