Pope Francis Takes the Stage Amidst Health Concerns, Urging for Peace in Gaza and Ukraine
Pope Francis urges a temporary halt to fighting in Gaza during a windy Easter service.
On the holy day of Easter, Pope Francis boldly addressed the world, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and a swap of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine from his perch in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City.
The 87-year-old pontiff, despite battling health issues, shone in his Easter Sunday Mass garb, dashing around the square in his popemobile, warmly greeting well-wishers. The breeze didn't stop him from fervently advocating for an embrace of peace.
"Peace never comes from weapons, but from open hearts and outstretched hands," he declared to wild applause from the wind-whipped crowd below. Amazingly, he had just spent hours observing the Easter Vigil the previous night, but his spirit remained undeterred.
While parts of one lung were surgically removed in his younger years, this resilient leader faced his health challenges head-on, rallying in front of tens of thousands of admirers in the square. The traditional Good Friday procession was a miss for him this year, adding a hint of uncertainty around his participation in Easter services.
As the Mass concluded, the bustling crowds of Via della Conciliazione streamed into the piazza. An unforeseen drama unfolded at the service's start when a powerful gust knocked over a religious icon near the pontiff, a saintly hair's breadth from disaster. Quick-thinking ushers promptly restored the artifact to its rightful place.
The Mass gave way to the "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) blessing, in which the pope customarily delivers a list of humanity's current struggles.
This year, Francis stressed his thoughts were heavily on the people of Ukraine and Gaza, and all those battling war, especially the children who had lost their smiles. "In advocating for respect of international law, I express my hope for a general exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine – for the sake of all!" he declared.
He voiced his wish for the immediate release of those taken from Israel on 7 October, a swift end to hostilities in Gaza, and access to humanitarian aid for the exasperated Gazan population. "Let's not allow this bloodshed to continue causing needless suffering, especially for the innocent children," he disheartenedly remarked, addressing issues such as the plight of Haitians, the Rohingya, and victims of human trafficking as well.
The Easter Mass, a key date on the liturgical calendar, commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ following his crucifixion.
Related:- Pope Francis forgoes Good Friday event to preserve health- Holy Easter Saturday celebrated across Europe
Dive Deeper
Cardinals gather under media glare ahead of conclave
Hungarian village preserves centuries-old Easter traditions
Vatican calls gender-affirming surgery a violation of human dignity
Keywords: Pope Francis, Gaza ceasefire, Ukraine, Vatican, Israel-Hamas conflict, prisoner swaps, Easter Mass, international law, peace, humanitarian crisis, Ukraine-Russia relations, Haiti, Rohingya, human trafficking, health concerns, popemobile, Easter Sunday Mass, St. Peter's Square, Via della Conciliazione, Urbi et Orbi blessing.
- In the face of health concerns, Pope Francis used Easter Sunday as a platform to urge for a ceasefire in Gaza and a swap of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine.
- Standing firmly amidst his health challenges, the pontiff made an impassioned plea for an end to hostilities, expressing his concerns particularly for the children of Ukraine, Gaza, and other war-torn regions.
- Remarking on the ongoing conflicts, Pope Francis emphasized the need for respect of international law and called for a general exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine.
- As the world watched, the pope extended his advocacy for the accessibility of humanitarian aid in Gaza and highlighted other global concerns such as the plight of Haitians, the Rohingya, and victims of human trafficking.
