Pope Francis, marking what he called an "Easter of war", has urged leaders to hear the people's plea for peace in Ukraine and implicitly criticised Russia for dragging the country into a "cruel and senseless" conflict.
Speaking to some 50,000 people in St Peter's Square in Rome for his twice yearly "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and world) address.
It was the first Easter since 2019 that the public was allowed to attend following two years of Covid-19 restrictions in Italy.
Francis said Ukraine was "sorely tried by the violence and destruction of the cruel and senseless war into which it was dragged".
He added: "Our eyes, too, are incredulous on this Easter of war. May the leaders of nations hear people's plea for peace."
The 85-year-old pontiff urged: "Please, let us not get used to war! Let us all commit ourselves to imploring peace, from our balconies and in our streets!"
The pope said he holds in his heart "all the many Ukrainian victims, the millions of refugees and internally displaced persons, the divided families, the elderly left to themselves, the lives broken and the cities razed to the ground.
"I see the faces of the orphaned children fleeing from the war."
Pope Francis also called for free access to Jerusalem's holy sites for all worshippers.
"May there be peace for the Middle East, racked by years of conflict and division," he told those gathered.
"On this glorious day, let us ask for peace upon Jerusalem and peace upon all those who love her, Christians, Jews and Muslims alike.
"May Israelis, Palestinians and all who dwell in the Holy City, together with the pilgrims, experience the beauty of peace, dwell in fraternity and enjoy free access to the Holy Places in mutual respect for the rights of each," he said
His plea comes amid fresh clashes today between Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli police at Jerusalem's flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound.
He also called for reconciliation among the people of Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Libya, Myanmar and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which he is due to visit in July.
