Pope Francis celebrated an Easter Mass before some 30,000 people and made a strong plea for a ceasefire in Gaza and a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine. Francis presided over the mass in a flower-decorated St. Peter’s Square and then offered a heartfelt prayer for peace at his annual summary of global crises on the balcony overlooking the square. Between one event and another he circled the square several times in his popemobile, greeting the attendees.
The Easter Sunday mass, one of the most important liturgical events of the year, brought together some 30,000 people in St. Peter’s Square.
“Peace is never made with weapons, but with outstretched hands and open hearts,” Francis said to applause from the crowd gathered on a windy morning.
Just hours after celebrating the two-and-a-half-hour Easter Vigil, the 87-year-old pontiff seemed in good shape. Francis, who had part of his lung removed in his youth, has had breathing problems all winter that he and the Vatican have described as bronchitis, the flu or a cold.
The Vatican said some 30,000 people had attended the mass, and even more filled the Avenue of Conciliation leading to the square. At the beginning of the service, a gust of air knocked a large religious icon off the altar just a few steps from the pope, although several attendants quickly put it back in its place.
The Easter Mass celebrates what the faithful believe was the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion and precedes the Urbi et Orbi (“to the city and the world”) blessing, a long speech that usually lists the threats facing humanity. .
Francis said this week that his thoughts were particularly with Ukraine and Gaza and all those facing war, especially the children who, he said, have “forgotten how to smile.”
“I ask for respect for the principles of international law, I express my hope for a general exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine, for the good of all!” he said.
He also called for the “quick” release of hostages taken from Israel on October 7, an immediate ceasefire in Gaza so that humanitarian aid can reach the Palestinians.
“Let us not allow the current hostilities to continue to have serious repercussions on the civilian population, which is already at the limit of its resistance, and especially on children,” he said in a speech that also mentioned the difficulties suffered by Haitians, the Rohingya and victims of human trafficking.
In recent weeks, Francis has generally avoided giving long speeches to avoid straining his respiratory system. Last week he delegated the Palm Sunday homily and decided at the last minute to stay home rather than attend the Good Friday procession at the Coliseum.
The Vatican said in a brief explanation that the decision had been made to “preserve his health.”
The decision appeared to have paid off, as Francis was able to recite the prayers of the long Easter Vigil, which included administering the sacraments of baptism and first communion to eight new Catholics and presiding over the Easter Sunday mass.
After a busy Easter, Francis should have some time to recover, as he has no major trips planned for several months.
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