Pope Francis calls on Easter to overcome conflicts and divisions

Havana, April 9 (RHC) - Pope Francis made today, during the solemn celebrations of Easter Sunday, a call "to overcome conflicts and divisions, and to open our hearts to those who need it most."

 "Let us hasten to follow paths of peace and fraternity", said the Supreme Pontiff in his Urbi et Orbi blessing addressed to the city of Rome and to the entire world, which began at 12:00 local time in the Central Lodge of Saint Peter's Basilica, preceded by the traditional mass held two hours before in the courtyard of that Catholic temple.

He expressed his concern over "the attacks in recent days, which threaten the desired climate of trust and reciprocal respect, necessary to resume dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians", and also spoke about the situation in Haiti, "which has been suffering for several years a serious socio-political and humanitarian crisis”.

The Bishop of Rome called for the consolidation of the peace and reconciliation processes undertaken in Ethiopia and South Sudan, the cessation of violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the granting of "consolation to the victims of international terrorism, especially in Burkina Faso, Mali, Mozambique and Nigeria”.

He wished that "the martyred Rohingya" in Myanmar find justice and demanded to help Lebanon. He also asked for support for those affected by the violent earthquake in Türkiye and Syria, and not to forget the people of Tunisia, who suffer social and economic problems.

The Pope raised his prayer in favor of refugees, deportees, political prisoners and migrants, especially the most vulnerable, as well as those who suffer from hunger, poverty and drug trafficking, as well as from human trafficking and all forms of slavery.

He appealed to the inspiration “of those responsible for nations, so that no man or woman is discriminated against or trampled on in their dignity; so that in full respect for human rights and democracy these social wounds are healed”.

Furthermore, so that "the common good of citizens is always and exclusively sought, security and the necessary conditions for dialogue and peaceful coexistence are guaranteed" and, to this end, Francis wished that "today we obtain the strength to persevere in the good, towards the encounter of good, which does not disappoint”. (Source: Prensa Latina)