Pope Francis' painful appeal for peace. In his Easter message, urbi et orbi, the pope called for the “exchange of all prisoners” between Russia and Ukraine.
He also called for “the guarantee” of humanitarian access to Gaza, the release of hostages and an immediate ceasefire. Francis, who had renounced the Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum on Friday evening but had presided over the Easter vigil, targeted two regions of the world as a priority.