Pope makes brief Easter appearance, calls for Gaza ceasefire
- 5 hours ago
Pope Francis gave a renewed call for a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the conflicts raging in other parts of the world on the occasion of Easter Sunday.
The Pope, who was last month discharged from the hospital after five weeks of treatment for an infection that led to double pneumonia, appeared at the Vatican's St Peter's Square to wish "Happy Easter" to thousands of worshippers.
Coming out in a wheelchair, he waved from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica to cheering crowds below, saying: "Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter."
His traditional Easter address was delivered by a clergy member. The 88-year-old pontiff's aide read his message known as the "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) aloud to the crowds at St Peter's Square, calling for peace worldwide, global disarmament and release of prisoners, as per the Vatican News.
The Pope, who has been battling pneumonia, reiterated his appeal for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the release of the hostages, and access to humanitarian aid.
The terrible conflict in Gaza continues to cause death and destruction and to create a dramatic and deplorable humanitarian situation, he said and called on the international community to act and come to the aid of a starving people that aspires to a future of peace.
The Pope also called for breaking down the physical, political, economic and spiritual barriers which divide society.
He appealed to the nations to use their resources not for rearmament, but to combat hunger, development, and care for one another.
Besides Gaza, the Pope appealed for peace in Yemen, Ukraine, Syria and Africa. He also expressed deep sorrow over the loss of thousands of lives in the Myanmar quake.
"The principle of humanity never fails to be the hallmark of our daily actions," his address said. After the blessing, the Pope was driven around the square. As he passed through the crowds, his procession paused several times as babies were brought over for him to bless.
Earlier Pope Francis held a private meeting at the Vatican with US Vice President JD Vance, the Vatican said in a statement.
Vance, a Catholic who has clashed with the pontiff over the Trump administration's immigration policies, met Francis at his Vatican residence to exchange Easter greetings, the statement said.
"Pope Francis had a brief private encounter ... lasting a few minutes, in order to exchange good wishes on Easter day," said the statement. After Easter Mass, the pople later appeared in St. Peter's Square to greet crowds in an open-air popemobile.
Vance's office issued a brief statement confirming the meeting, but offered no further details.
The vice president, who has been visiting Italy with his family this weekend, met senior Vatican officials for more formal talks on Saturday.
The Pope, who is recovering from double pneumonia, did not take part in those discussions.
The Pope and Vatican officials have criticised several of the policies of President Donald Trump's administration, including his plans to deport millions of migrants from the US and his widespread cuts to foreign aid and domestic welfare programmes.
Agencies