Pope Francis mentions Ukraine in his Easter address and calls for hostage exchange
Kyiv • UNN
Pope Francis called for an end to wars, including in Ukraine, and expressed hope for a general exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine.
Pope Francis has called for an end to wars in the world, including in Ukraine, and expressed hope for an exchange of prisoners between Ukraine and Russia. The words of the Pontiff are quoted by Reuters, UNN.
I think especially of the victims of the many conflicts around the world, starting with the conflicts in Israel and Palestine and in Ukraine. May the risen Christ open the way of peace for the war-weary peoples of those regions. Calling for respect for the principles of international law, I express my hope for a general exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine: all for the sake of all.
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Pope Francis also called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, humanitarian aid to the Palestinians, and the release of all Israeli hostages.
I reiterate my call for humanitarian access to Gaza, and I reiterate my call for the immediate release of the hostages taken on October 7 last year and for an immediate ceasefire in the Strip.
In his Easter message, the Pope also mentioned other hotspots in the world, including Syria, Lebanon, Armenia and Azerbaijan, Haiti, Myanmar, Sudan, the Sahel and Horn of Africa, Congo and Mozambique.
We see so much suffering in the eyes of children, children have forgotten how to smile in those war zones. With their eyes, children ask us: Why? Why all this death? Why all this destruction? War is always about absurdity and defeat.
Asking Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi last year to mediate the repatriation of Ukrainian children from Russia and the Russian-occupied territories, Francis called for a "general exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine.
He also condemned human trafficking and prayed for a "path of hope" for those suffering from violence, hunger, and the effects of climate change, as well as for solace for "victims of terrorism in all its forms.
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The pontiff led the mass in St. Peter's Square, filled with flowers, and then delivered his blessing to "Urbi et Orbi" (the city and the world) and a message from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.
Francis, 87, has been in poor health in recent weeks, which has led him to limit public appearances and cancel engagements, as he usually does on Good Friday.
After the service, Francis got into his open-top papal car to greet the crowd in the square and on the alley connecting St. Peter's Basilica to the Tiber River. According to the Vatican, about 60 thousand people came to listen to the Pope.
