Pope Francis He presided over the Easter Sunday mass in St. Peter’s Square before more than 30,000 people and called for the release of the Israeli hostages, as well as a ceasefire in Gaza. He has also warned that “The winds of war are blowing ever stronger over Europe and the Mediterranean“and has called 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,” said Francisco, looking out from the balcony. of the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica before some 100,000 faithful for the blessing of the Urbi in Orbi.

In the same way, has demanded “an exchange of prisoners” between Russia and Ukraine on Easter while requesting that the “possibility of access for humanitarian aid to Gaza” be opened and calling for “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.

“Let us not allow the ongoing hostilities to continue seriously affecting the already exhausted civilian population, and especially children,” he added. Francisco has thus reiterated that war is always “an absurdity and a defeat.”

On the other hand, he has urged Don’t forget Syria“which has been suffering for fourteen years the consequences of a long and devastating war” and has referred to Lebanon, “long affected by an institutional blockade and a deep economic and social crisis, now aggravated by hostilities on the border with Israel”.

He has also referred to the “heavy rocks” that today “close the hopes of humanity”, such as “the rock of war, that of humanitarian crises, that of human rights violations or human trafficking“.

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