Pope calls for an end to war at the Vatican for Easter Sunday mass

Pope calls for an end to war at the Vatican for Easter Sunday mass

mangaloretoday.com/ Daily Mail

Vatican, April 20, 2014: Marking Christianity’s most hopeful day, Pope Francis made an Easter Sunday plea for peace and dialogue in Ukraine and Syria, for an end to terrorist attacks against Christians in Nigeria and for more attention to the hungry and neediest close to home.

Well over 150,000 tourists - Romans and pilgrims, young and old - turned out for the Mass that Francis celebrated at an altar set up under a canopy on the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica.

So great were their numbers that they overflowed from sprawling St. Peter’s Square, which was decked out with row after row of potted daffodils, sprays of blue hyacinths and bunches of white roses.

 

Pope Francis addresses huge crowds gathered in St Peter’s square in Vatican City when he delivered the traditional Urbi Et Orbi blessing to mark Easter Sunday

During the celebration the Pope delivered a speech asking for peace and dialogue in war-torn Syria and Ukraine and for an end to attacks on Christians in Nigeria

After delivering his traditional blessing Pope Francis moved out into the crowds, smiling and giving a jovial thumbs up to mark the most hopeful day in the Christian calendar when they believe Jesus rose from the dead.

 

Francis prayed that God would ’enlighten and inspire the initiatives that promote peace in Ukraine, so that all those involved, with the support of the international community, will make every effort to prevent violence.’

In eastern Ukraine, the holiday was marred by a deadly shooting Sunday fueled by tensions between pro-Russian supporters in the east and those loyal to an interim government in Kiev. The clash appeared to defy an international agreement reached last week in hopes of ending months of unrest.

 

Pope Francis also prayed that all sides in Syria will be moved to ’boldly negotiate the peace long awaited and long overdue.’ Syria has been wracked by a three-year civil war that has cost 150,000 lives and forced millions to flee the country.

Christians make up about 5 percent of Syria’s population. In comments to mark Easter there, the Greek Orthodox patriarch vowed that Christians there ’will not submit’ to extremists who attack ’our people and holy places.’