Pope Francis briefly appeared on the balcony of St. Peter

Pope Francis briefly appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Church for the traditional blessing Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world), at the end of the Easter Liturgy, which was served by Cardinal Angelo Comastria at St. Peter’s Square.

He was greeted with cheers from the believers present at St. Peter’s Square.

« Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter, » the Pope said and read the message to Monsignor Diego Raveli.

Pope Francis once again focuses on violence against women, as he did yesterday in the Easter vigil sermon. In the text of the message, Francis emphasizes that in God’s eyes « Every life is precious! The child in the womb of his mother, such as the one of the older or the sick, who are considered people to be rejected in more countries. »

« How much desire 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, women or children! How much contempt sometimes turns to the weakest, marginalized, migrants! On this day we would like to return to our hope, Children!, the Pope points out in the message.

He called for peace in the holy land. « I am worried about the growing climate of anti -Semitism that is spreading around the world. At the same time, my thoughts are aimed at the population, and especially the Christian community in Gaza, where the dreadful conflict continues to generate death and destruction and cause a dramatic humanitarian situation. »

« No peace without real disarmament is possible! The need for every nation to secure their own defense cannot be transformed into a general arms race. May the resurrected Christ pour out the Passover gift of peace on the tormented Ukraine and let all the actors involved in continuing their efforts to achieve their efforts. »