Francis, the last Urbi et Orbi message: "In Gaza, ignoble situation. No to rearmament"

A few words, a Happy Easter greeting from Pope Francis, who arrived in a wheelchair in the Blessing Loggia at 12 noon for the Urbi et Orbi message, after receiving Vice President JD Vance. And at the end of the blessing on the mobile Pope crossed the square among the faithful who had reached 50,000 in attendance. And he stops to bless a sick child and an infant.

The message is read by the master of ceremonies, but the words are all his. And he starts with the conflicts for a message of peace in the Middle East, but also for Ukraine and the other, often forgotten conflicts. "I would like us to return to the hope that peace is possible! From the Holy Sepulchre, Church of the Resurrection, where this year Easter is celebrated on the same day by Catholics and Orthodox, may the light of peace radiate over the entire Holy Land and the whole world. I am close to the suffering of Christians in Palestine and Israel, as well as to all the Israeli and Palestinian people. I am concerned about the growing climate of anti-Semitism that is spreading throughout the world. At the same time, my thoughts go out to the people and in particular to the Christian community in Gaza, where the terrible conflict continues to generate death and destruction and to cause a dramatic and ignoble humanitarian situation. I appeal to the warring parties: cease fire, release the hostages and help the people, who are hungry and aspire to a peaceful future!". And on the issue of immigration he added: "How much will to death we see every day in the many conflicts that affect different parts of the world! How much violence we often see even in families, against women or children! How much contempt is sometimes nurtured towards the weakest, the marginalised, migrants!".

And in the long message he returns to a theme dear to him: 'No peace is possible without true disarmament! The need that each people has to provide for its own defence cannot turn into a general arms race. The light of Easter spurs us to break down the barriers that create divisions and are fraught with political and economic consequences. It spurs us to care for one another, to increase mutual solidarity, to work for the integral development of every human person'. He added: "I appeal to all those in the world who have political responsibilities not to give in to the logic of fear that shuts down, but to use the resources available to help the needy, fight hunger and promote initiatives that foster development. These are the 'weapons' of peace: those that build the future, instead of sowing death!". He adds: 'Let the principle of humanity never fail as the cornerstone of our daily actions. Faced with the cruelty of conflicts involving defenceless civilians, attacking schools and hospitals and humanitarian workers, we cannot allow ourselves to forget that it is not targets that are being hit, but people with a soul and dignity. And in this Jubilee year, may Easter also be an auspicious occasion to free prisoners of war and political prisoners!"

Francis then recalled the conflicts in the world: "Let us pray for the Christian communities in Lebanon and Syria who, as the latter country experiences a delicate passage in its history, yearn for stability and participation in the destiny of their respective nations. I urge the whole Church to accompany with attention and prayer the Christians of the beloved Middle East. I also address a special thought to the people of Yemen, who are experiencing one of the worst "protracted" humanitarian crises in the world due to war, and I invite all to find solutions through constructive dialogue. May the Risen Christ pour out the Easter gift of peace on the tormented Ukraine and encourage all those involved to continue their efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace. On this feast day, let us think of the South Caucasus and pray for the early signing and implementation of a final Peace Agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, leading to the much-desired reconciliation in the region'.

"May the light of Easter," he adds, "inspire intentions of concord in the Western Balkans and support the political actors in their efforts to avoid the escalation of tensions and crises, as well as the partners in the region in rejecting dangerous and destabilising behaviour. May the Risen Christ, our hope, grant peace and comfort to the peoples of Africa who are victims of violence and conflict, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and South Sudan, and support those who suffer because of tensions in the Sahel, the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes Region, as well as Christians who in many places cannot freely profess their faith".