Pope Francis called for peace in Ukraine and around the world in an Easter morning address.
In his message to thousands in attendance at the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square service, Francis called the holiday an “Easter of war.”
“We have seen all too much blood, all too much violence,” Francis said. “Our hearts, too, have been filled with fear and anguish, as so many of our brothers and sisters have had to lock themselves away in order to be safe from bombing. We struggle to believe that Jesus is truly risen, that he has truly triumphed over death.”
The pope encouraged people to hold on to their faith, saying, “It is not an illusion.”
“‘Christ is risen! He is truly risen!’” the pope said, echoing Easter’s proclamation. “Today, more than ever, we need him.”
In addition to Ukraine, Francis called for peace in other parts of the world, including Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Myanmar, and Afghanistan.
ELEVEN SHOT AND TWO TEENAGERS DEAD IN PITTSBURGH AFTER EARLY MORNING EASTER SHOOTING
“Every war brings in its wake consequences that affect the entire human family: from grief and mourning to the drama of refugees, and to the economic and food crisis, the signs of which we are already seeing,” Francis said. “Faced with the continuing signs of war, as well as the many painful setbacks to life, Jesus Christ, the victor over sin, fear, and death, exhorts us not to surrender to evil and violence.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Francis encouraged world leaders to hear people’s cries for peace and avoid nuclear war, citing a line from a 1955 manifesto by philosopher Bertrand Russell and physicist Albert Einstein.
“‘Shall we put an end to the human race, or shall mankind renounce war?,’” Francis said.
