Pope Francis encouraged the world to reject “the logic of weapons” in his Easter sermon at the Vatican on Sunday, as he greeted thousands of Catholics.
The 87-year-old received the “Urbi et Orbi” (To the City and the World) blessing after leading Easter Mass in front of 60,000 people in Saint Peter’s Square, appearing to be in high spirits.
Francis decried violence as “always an absurdity and a defeat” in his usual statement, which was televised worldwide, citing crises in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, and others.
He reaffirmed calls for a cease-fire in Gaza, as well as increased assistance deliveries to the devastated area and the return of prisoners kidnapped by Hamas during the extraordinary October 7 attack on Israel that launched the conflict.
The civilian population is “now at the limit of its endurance,” he said, citing the impact on children in particular.
“Let us not allow the gathering winds of conflict to sweep across Europe and the Mediterranean. “Let us not succumb to the logic of weapons and rearming,” he said.
As the war between Russia and Ukraine enters its third year, the pope advocated a “general exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine”.
Francis also urged international leaders to “spare no efforts in combatting the scourge of human trafficking” in order to release its victims.
Moments before the blessing, Francis rode his “popemobile” through the ecstatic crowd, where pilgrims chanted “Long live the pope!” waved flags, and strained to capture pictures.
Health concerns
Easter Sunday commemorates Jesus Christ’s resurrection and marks the end of Holy Week, which is observed by 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide.
The pope presided over the Easter Vigil at the Vatican on Saturday in front of around 6,000 people from all over the world, a day after his last-minute postponement of a huge Good Friday march sparked concerns about his health.
He gave a 10-minute homily in Italian, addressing clearly and denouncing “the walls of selfishness and indifference” in the world.
He displayed little exhaustion at the end of the two-and-a-half-hour ceremony, greeting and blessing several of the worshippers.
In a brief statement issued Friday, the Vatican stated that “to preserve his health ahead of tomorrow’s vigil and the Easter Sunday mass, Pope Francis will this evening follow the Way of the Cross at the Colosseum from the Santa Marta Residence” where he lives.
The last-minute decision has raised worries about Francis’ ability to lead the Catholic Church for an extended period of time.
According to a Vatican source, there was “no particular concern” about his health, and the decision to withdraw was “simply a measure of caution”.
The Argentinian Jesuit had also cancelled his participation in the “Via Crucis” in 2023, although this came after a three-day hospital stay for bronchitis and was notified well in advance. Weeks later, he had a hernia procedure.
Up until Friday, the pope had attended his weekly activities, but he has recently appeared fatigued and has outsourced speaking roles to others.
No plans to resign
Francis, who never takes vacations, visited Marseille, a city in southern France, last September. In December, he canceled his planned presence at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai.
His next scheduled trip is to Venice on April 28. The Vatican has yet to finalize a planned trip to Asia and the Pacific Ocean this summer.
Francis has already stated that he is willing to step aside if he is unable to perform his duties. In 2013, Benedict XVI became the first pope to resign freely since the Middle Ages, setting a precedent for his successor.
But in a memoir published this month, Francis stated that he did “not have any cause serious enough to make me think of resigning”.