Pontifex calls for peace ending conflicts and “carnage”

Posted on April 1, 2018 by Europe correspondent Leave a comment

Pope Francis, in his traditional Easter address called for peace in the Holy Land two days after 15 Palestinians were killed on the Israeli-Gaza border, saying the conflict there “does not spare the defenseless”.

Pontifex made his appeal in his “Urbi et Orbi” – to the city and the world – message from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to believers in the flower-bedecked square below where he earlier celebrated a Mass.

Further in his speech he also appealed for an end to the “carnage” in Syria, calling for humanitarian aid to be allowed to enter, and for peace in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

#UPDATE Pope Francis calls for an end to the 'carnage' in Syria and 'reconciliation' in the Middle East in his traditional Easter message https://t.co/nnr03RB9f2 pic.twitter.com/7L5mTXdABn

— AFP news agency (@AFP) April 1, 2018

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Crowds in a packed St Peter's Square shout 'viva il Papa!' or 'long live the Pope,' as they wait for #PopeFrancis to appear for his "Urbi et Orbi" blessing, which goes out to the city, and to the world pic.twitter.com/DeStDztdsq

— Catholic News Agency (@cnalive) April 1, 2018

Pope Francis led an Easter vigil service, baptizing eight adults, including a undocumented Nigerian migrant beggar who came into public eye when he disarmed an Italian thief wielding a cleaver.

The baptism took place during a long Holy Saturday, or Easter eve, Mass for some 10,000 people in St. Peter’s Basilica.