In his Easter message, Pope Francis condemned the worldwide violence and called for the peaceful resolution of conflicts. He also went to the series of attacks in Sri Lanka.
Gray sky over Rome, but in St. Peter’s Square a sea of brilliant flowers. Thousands of people followed the Easter Mass and the Easter message of the Pope. It was a message of peace again this year.
Francis recalled the ongoing war in Syria. „This conflict runs the risk of being taken for granted by us and even of indifference.“ The moment has come to renew the commitment to a political solution „that meets the right aspirations for freedom, peace and justice“.
Appeal for peace
Francis also went to other trouble spots in the world. He named, inter alia, the Middle East and South Sudan. He also referred to the newly inflamed conflicts in Libya. „I call on the parties involved to favor the dialogue of violence and to avoid reopening the wounds of a decade of conflict and political instability.“
For Ukraine, in which today is elected, Francis formulated the desire for a humanitarian and lasting peace.
Following the Easter message, Pope Francis spoke the traditional blessing of Urbi et Orbi. For all Catholics, listening to this blessing, according to the Church’s teaching, is associated with a release of their sins. It is issued only twice a year, at Easter and at Christmas, as well as directly after the election of a new Pope.
Compassion for Christian community in Sri Lanka
After the blessing, the pope, contrary to the prepared texts, entered the series of attacks in Sri Lanka.
„I want to make clear my compassionate closeness to the Christian community that was met when she gathered for prayer and to all the victims of such cruel violence.“
Around St. Peter’s Square were elevated today
Safety measures. Many police were present, at security gates similar to those at the airport, all pilgrims and visitors were closely controlled. The atmosphere in St. Peter’s Square itself was solemn.
The festival of hope
The Vatican has richly adorned the square in front of the basilica with around 55,000 flowers, including yellow daffodils, bright green orchids, white and red tulips, orange strelizia and bright blue knight spurs. The Pope himself led the Mass, with him celebrated about 70,000 people from all over the world.
On Easter Vigil, St. Francis had lit the Easter light in St. Peter’s Basilica and stressed in his address that Easter was the festival of hope. The story of the resurrection, according to the Pope, encourages Christians not to let their lives be defined by problems, mistrust and fear. Easter is the feast that teaches to roll away the stone of mistrust, never to bury the hope.
