Pope Francis warns of the “winds of war” which are blowing “ever stronger” over Europe in his Easter message | EUROtoday

He Papa He regretted that the winds of struggle “are blowing ever stronger over Europe and the Mediterranean” and known as for “not to give in to the logic of weapons and rearmament.” “Peace is never built with weapons, but by reaching out and opening the heart,” mentioned Francisco, looking from the balcony of the central loggia of the St. Peter's Basilica earlier than some 100,000 devoted for the bendicin del Urbi et Orbi.

Likewise, he has claimed “a prisoner exchange” between Russia and Ukraine at Easter whereas requesting that the “possibility of access for humanitarian aid to Gaza“and has urged “the rapid release of the Israeli hostages” kidnapped on October 7 by Hamas.

“May the risen Christ open a path of peace for the martyred populations of those regions. While I invite respect for the principles of international law, I hope for a general exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine: all for all! “, declared the Pontiff.

The Pontiff has thus referred to the “heavy rocks” that at the moment “close the hopes of humanity”, as “the rock of war, that of humanitarian crises, that of violations of human rights or that of drug trafficking.” folks”.

For this reason, he has asked God to open “the trail of life within the midst of demise”, “that of peace within the midst of struggle”, “that of reconciliation within the midst of hatred” through the “empty tomb”. ” and “that of brotherhood in the midst of enmity.”

“Without the forgiveness of sins it is not possible to escape from closed-mindedness, prejudices, mutual suspicions or presumptions that always absolve oneself and accuse others,” the Pope mentioned.

The Pope has taken benefit – as ordinary – of the apostolic blessing to record the open conflicts on the earth starting “with those of Israel and Palestine”, and “Ukraine”. “Let us not allow the ongoing hostilities to continue seriously affecting the already exhausted civilian population, and especially the children,” he added. Francis has thus reiterated that struggle is at all times “an absurdity and a defeat.”

Other conflicts

On the opposite hand, he has urged to not overlook Syria“which has been suffering for 14 years the consequences of a long and devastating war” and has referred to the Lebanon“affected for some time by an institutional blockade and by a deep economic and social crisis, now aggravated by hostilities on the border with Israel“.

The Pope has additionally referred to the Western Balkan Regionthe place “significant steps towards integration into the European project” are being taken and has requested that “ethnic, cultural and confessional differences not be a cause of division, but a source of wealth for all of Europe and the entire world.”

Likewise, it has inspired “conversations between Armenia y to Azerbaijan so that, with the support of the international community, they can continue the dialogue, help displaced people, respect the places of worship of the various religious denominations and reach a definitive peace agreement as soon as possible.”

The Pontiff has additionally referred to sharp “so that the violence that lacerates and bloodies the country ceases as soon as possible, and that progress can be made on the path of democracy and fraternity.”

He has additionally requested that consolation be given to the Rohiny, “afflicted by a serious humanitarian crisis” and that the trail of “reconciliation in Myanmar“, a rustic that has been hit for years by inside conflicts, so that each one logic of violence is definitively deserted.”

The Pontiff has additionally known as for “methods of peace to be opened on the African continent, particularly for the exhausted populations in Sud and all through the area of Sahelwithin the Horn of Africa, within the area of Kivu within the Democratic Republic of Congo and within the province of Cabo Delgado in Mozambiqueand put an finish to the extended drought scenario that impacts giant areas and causes shortages and starvation.