"Urbi et Orbi"

Pope gives Easter blessing “Urbi et Orbi”

Pope Francis gave the Easter blessing "Urbi et Orbi" and called for world peace.(Bild: APA/AFP/Tiziana FABI)

In front of tens of thousands of people, Pope Francis gave the blessing "Urbi et Orbi" ("to the city and the world") on Easter Sunday in St. Peter's Square in Rome. According to the Vatican, around 60,000 faithful followed the ceremony. On this occasion, the Holy Father once again urgently called for peace in Ukraine and the Middle East.

"My thoughts are above all with the victims of the many ongoing conflicts in the world, starting with those in Israel and Palestine and in Ukraine. May the risen Christ open a path of peace for the tormented people in these regions. I call for respect for the principles of international law and hope for a general exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine," Francis said.

"Peace is never created with weapons"
The Pope pleaded for safe access for humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and once again urged the immediate release of the hostages kidnapped on October 7 and an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Around 60,000 people came to St. Peter's Square to watch the ceremony.(Bild: APA/AFP/VATICAN MEDIA/Handout)

"We must not allow the ongoing hostilities to continue to severely affect the exhausted civilian population, especially the children. We see in their eyes how much they are suffering. Their eyes ask us: Why? Why so much death? Why so much destruction? War is always an absurdity and a defeat! Let us not allow the winds of war to blow ever stronger over Europe and the Mediterranean. Let us not be guided by the logic of weapons and rearmament. Peace is never made with weapons, but by stretching out our hands and opening our hearts," the Pope declared.

Call for solidarity
He also commemorated the conflicts in Syria and Lebanon, as well as the Western Balkans region, where significant steps have been taken towards integration into the European project. "May ethnic, cultural and confessional differences not lead to division, but become a source of enrichment for the whole of Europe and for the whole world," said Francis. He also mentioned the talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan "so that, with the support of the international community, they can continue the dialog, come to the aid of the displaced persons, respect the places of worship of the different confessions and reach a final peace agreement as soon as possible".

The Pope appealed for an end to wars and conflicts and for solidarity.(Bild: APA/AFP/Tiziana FABI)

The Pope also remembered migrants. "May Christ lead all people of good will to unite in solidarity in order to overcome together the many challenges that the poorest families face in their search for a better life and happiness," explained Francis.

Pope had to cancel appointments again
Pope Francis had already opened the traditional celebration of the Easter Vigil on Saturday evening together with thousands of believers. In keeping with tradition, he baptized eight adults from countries including Albania, Japan, Korea and Italy.

In contrast, the Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum in Rome on Good Friday took place without Pope Francis, who has had to cancel several appointments in recent weeks due to bronchitis. The head of the Catholic Church followed the procession in the evening from the Santa Marta guest house where he lives. He joined in the prayers of those who gathered with the diocese of Rome at the Colosseum, the Vatican explained.

Strictest security precautions in Rome
The strictest security precautions are in force in Rome around the Easter celebrations. Anti-terrorist units and special police forces are monitoring the area around the Vatican. The area around St. Peter's Square has been cordoned off and equipped with metal detectors. Pilgrims were able to follow the ceremony with the Pope on screens from St. Peter's Square.