While Pope Francis, hospitalized from March 29 to April 1, for an "infectious bronchitis" according to the Vatican, had preferred not to preside over the Stations of the Cross, Friday evening, at the Colosseum in Rome due to cool temperatures for the season, he presided, without apparent difficulty, at Holy Saturday mass in the Vatican, and especially that of Easter Sunday, in St. Peter's Square, in front of 45,000 people.
At the end of which, he made a long walkabout from his papamobile, then pronounced, standing, the traditional message "urbi e orbi", in a slightly cold voice, insisting as every year on the crisis situations in the world.
He obviously spoke about the war in Ukraine as he has done very regularly since the start of the conflict in February 2022, but his most poignant appeal this year has been for the deterioration of the situation in Jerusalem.
Addressing Christ, Francis said: “
On this day we entrust to you, Lord, the city of Jerusalem, the first witness of your Resurrection.
I express my deep concern because of the attacks of recent days which threaten the desired climate of trust and mutual respect necessary to resume dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians, so that peace reigns in the Holy City and in the entire Region.
»
Appeal for Lebanon and the beloved Ukrainian people
He then mentioned in his prayer Lebanon which "
is still in search of stability and unity
" but the other important call for him this Easter 2023 will have been, like last year for "
the beloved people Ukrainian
" so that God "
helps him on the way to peace
", asking Christ in the same sentence to "
shed Easter light on the Russian people
" and to "
comfort the wounded and those who have lost loved ones war"
, imploring God so that "
the prisoners can return safe and sound to their families
".
The pope, calling, once again as he had done in the same place at Christmas, "
the international community to work to put an end to this war"
between Russia and Ukraine as "
all conflicts who bloody the world, starting with Syria
”
Finally the head of the Catholic Church mentioned several critical situations in the world for which he prayed but also called for the vigilance of the world.
Thus “of the dear people of Tunisia” and its inhabitants who “
suffer because of social and economic problems
”.
He also mentioned Haiti, afflicted by "
a serious socio-political and humanitarian crisis
".
For Africa, the pope spoke of the difficulties of the peace process in Ethiopia and South Sudan but he denounced "
the violence in the
Democratic Republic of Congo" where he nevertheless went at the end of January as a "pilgrim of peace". .
Francis also denounced “
those who are prevented from freely and publicly professing their faith
” in two places in the world, Nicaragua and Eritrea.
He also prayed for “
the victims of international terrorism
” in Burkina Faso, Mali, Mozambique and Nigeria.
Finally pleading for them that the "
bruised Rohingyas
", a people who are dear to him, "
find justice
" and "
paths of peace
" in Burma.
A third of humanity
More generally, the Roman pontiff launched this last prayer for humanity which brings together all his concerns: "
Comfort refugees, deportees, political prisoners and migrants, in particular the most vulnerable, as well as all those who suffer from hunger. , poverty and the harmful effects of drug trafficking, human trafficking and all forms of slavery.
Inspire, Lord, the leaders of the nations so that no man or woman be discriminated against and trampled on in their dignity;
so that, with full respect for human rights and democracy, we heal these social wounds, that we always and only seek the common good of citizens, that security and the conditions necessary for dialogue and coexistence peace are ensured.
In introducing his remarks, the Jesuit Pope had launched about the feast of Easter celebrated this April 9 by two billion four hundred million Catholic and Protestant Christians in the world.
That is a third of humanity with the 200 million Orthodox Christians who will celebrate Easter on 16 April next, following a very old calendar divergence: "At Easter, the
destiny of the world changed and, on this day which also coincides with the most probable date of the resurrection of Christ, we can rejoice to celebrate, by pure grace, the most important and beautiful day in history.
Christ is risen, he is truly risen, as is proclaimed in the Eastern Churches.
This really tells us that hope is not an illusion, it is truth!
".