杏MAP导航 at Urbi et Orbi prays for an end to all violence, from Gaza to the Sahel
By Francesca Merlo
杏MAP导航 Francis has dedicated much of his pontificate to appealing for peace. This year on Easter Sunday, as he delivered - to the city and to the world - was no exception.
From the loggia of St Peter鈥檚 Basilica, the 杏MAP导航, who continues his recovery from bilateral pneumonia, greeted the crowds gathered in a tulip-filled St Peter鈥檚 Square. He then passed on his text to be read by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, and the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 words rang out proclaiming: 鈥淐hrist is risen.鈥�
鈥淐hrist, my hope, has risen,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis announced, calling on the faithful to turn their gaze to the empty tomb. He spoke of the resurrection not as an abstract idea but as a living force 鈥� one that challenges, heals, and empowers.
"Today too," he said, "he takes upon himself all the evil that oppresses us and transfigures it."
鈥淟ove has triumphed over hatred, light over darkness, and truth over falsehood. Forgiveness has triumphed over revenge,鈥� he said. 鈥淓vil has not disappeared from history; it will remain until the end, but it no longer has the upper hand; it no longer has power over those who accept the grace of this day.鈥�
But his words were not just a proclamation of faith - they were a cry to humankind, for humanity. The 杏MAP导航鈥檚 gaze, even in this moment of joy, did not stray from the suffering.
Peace in the Holy Land and across the Middle East
He spoke first of the Holy Land, 鈥渨ounded by conflict鈥�, and home to an 鈥渆ndless outburst of violence鈥�. He extended his closeness, in particular, to the people of Gaza and to the Christian community in the enclave where 鈥渢he terrible conflict continues to cause death and destruction and to create a dramatic and deplorable humanitarian situation.鈥�
鈥淚 appeal once again,鈥� he said, 鈥渇or an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, for the release of the hostages鈥� and for access to humanitarian aid.鈥�
His words once again called on the international community to act and 鈥渃ome to the aid of a starving people that aspires to a future of peace.鈥�
The 杏MAP导航鈥檚 prayers extended to the Christian communities in Lebanon and in Syria, 鈥減resently experiencing a delicate transition in its history,鈥� and urged the whole Church 鈥渢o keep the Christians of the beloved Middle East in its thoughts and prayers.鈥�
Turning then to Yemen, 鈥渆xperiencing one of the world鈥檚 most serious and prolonged humanitarian crises because of war,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis invited all those involved to find a solution 鈥渢hrough a constructive dialogue.鈥�
For healing from all political instability
For Ukraine, 鈥渄evastated by war,鈥� he invoked the Risen Christ鈥檚 gift of peace. May all involved, he said, continue efforts toward a 鈥渏ust and lasting peace.鈥�
He spoke, too, of the South Caucasus, where long-standing tensions call for urgent reconciliation. In particular, he prayed for a final peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and for healing in the region.
In the Western Balkans, 杏MAP导航 Francis prayed that the Easter light inspire leaders to calm tensions and reject destabilising actions choosing instead a path of harmony, together with their neighbours.
For disarmament across Africa and freedom of religion
The African continent, too, was very present in the 杏MAP导航's Easter prayers.
His first appeal came for the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, then for those of Sudan and South Sudan, and for those caught in the violence of the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, and the Great Lakes region. "In the face of the cruelty of conflicts that involve defenceless civilians and attack schools, hospitals and humanitarian workers, we cannot allow ourselves to forget that it is not targets that are struck, but persons, each possessed of a soul and human dignity".
He prayed, especially, for Christians unable to live their faith freely across the continent. 鈥淭here can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and respect for the views of others,鈥� he said. And no peace, he added, without true disarmament.
Break down the barriers that divide us
鈥淭he light of Easter impels us to break down the barriers that divide us,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis said. These barriers are not only physical, but political, economic, and spiritual. He called on nations to use their resources not for rearmament, but to combat hunger, invest in development, and 鈥渃are for one another.鈥�
The 杏MAP导航 appealed to all those who hold positions of political responsibility in our world not to yield to the logic of fear but to use our resources to help those in need, 鈥渢o fight hunger and encourage initiatives that promote development.鈥� 鈥淭hese,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渁re the 鈥榳eapons鈥� of peace: weapons that build the future, instead of sowing seeds of death!鈥�
Hope for the people of Myanmar
杏MAP导航 Francis did not forget the people of Myanmar, who continue to suffer the effects of conflict and, most recently, the devastating earthquake in Sagaing. He expressed deep sorrow for the thousands who have died, for orphans, and for the elderly who remain. But he also remembered the hope that is emerging from the strife-ridden land: 鈥淭he announcement of a ceasefire", he said, "is a sign of hope for the whole of Myanmar".
For the release of prisoners
His final thought was that, in this Jubilee year, Easter may also be a fitting occasion for the liberation of prisoners of war and political prisoners.
"What a great thirst for death, for killing, we witness each day" decried the 杏MAP导航, before praying: "May the principle of humanity never fail to be the hallmark of our daily actions".
Finally, the 杏MAP导航 emphasised that this Easter, the Risen Christ "fills us with the certainty that we too are called to share in the life that knows no end, when the clash of arms and the rumble of death will be heard no more".
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