The Pope has used his Urbi et Orbi Easter blessing to pray for peace and fraternity in countries affected by war, famine and hardship around the world.
The 86-year-old pope has returned to his papal duties after a recent stay in hospital due to bronchitis.
On the tenth Easter of his pontificate, Pope Francis prayed for "the beloved Ukrainian people" on their journey towards peace and asked that "the light of Easter" be shed on the people of Russia.
He also asked that the international community strive to end the war and all conflict and bloodshed in the world, beginning with Syria.
The Pontiff used the papal address to call for "a resumption of dialogue, in a climate of trust and reciprocal respect", between Israelis and Palestinians, so that peace may reign in the Holy City and in the entire region.
He called for divisions in Lebanon to be overcome and that all citizens cooperate for the common good of the country.
Francis asked that the people of Tunisia be remembered, in particular the young and those suffering from social and economic hardship, so they will not lose hope and can work together to build a future of peace and fraternity.
He prayed that efforts of political actors and the international community be supported in Haiti to seek a definitive solution to the many problems that have led to a "grave" social, economic and humanitarian crisis.
The Pope also called for the processes of peace and reconciliation undertaken in Ethiopia and in South Sudan be "consolidated", and for an end to violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Remembering communities that are prevented from freely and publicly professing their faith, he prayed that victims of international terrorism, especially in Burkina Faso, Mali, Mozambique and Nigeria, be given consolation.
He also asked that Myanmar be helped to pursue paths of peace, and "enlighten the hearts of leaders", to enable "the deeply afflicted Rohingya" encounter justice.
Pope Francis included those affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria in his prayers, particularly those who lost family and friends, and people who were left homeless.
He prayed for refugees, deportees, political prisoners and migrants, as well as victims of hunger, poverty and the dire effects of the drugs trade, human trafficking and all other forms of slavery during his address.
"Let us make haste to surmount our conflicts and divisions, and to open our hearts to those in greatest need. Let us hasten to pursue paths of peace and fraternity.
"Let us rejoice at the concrete signs of hope that reach us from so many countries, beginning with those that offer assistance and welcome to all fleeing from war and poverty," he said.
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Last night, he presided over the vigil mass in St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, decrying the "icy winds of war" and other injustices in a two-and-a-half-hour ceremony performed before 8,000 people.
On Friday evening however, he stayed away from the Good Friday service as a precautionary measure, because of the intense cold, the Vatican said.
It was the first time he had missed the ceremony during his papacy, which began in 2013.
The pope was discharged from hospital on 1 April after a three-night stay and has participated in various events since his hospital release, including washing the feet of 12 young prisoners on Holy Thursday.
But his health has become increasingly frail in recent months, and he now uses a wheelchair due to pain in his knees.
Easter is the most important day in the Christian liturgical calendar because it commemorates the death and the resurrection of Christ.
To rise again, to start anew, to take up the journey, we always need to return to Galilee, that is, to go back to the living, concrete and palpable memory of our first encounter with him.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) April 9, 2023
Additional reporting AFP
