Pope Francis speaks from a balcony on the day of the “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and to the world) message, at St. Peter’s Square, on Easter Sunday, in the Vatican, April 20, 2025. (photo credit: REUTERS/YARA NARDI) via TJP
Pope Francis has reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza in an Easter Sunday message read aloud by an aide as the pontiff, still recovering from pneumonia, looked on during a brief appearance on the main balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
According to The Jerusalem Post, the 88-year-old Pope, limiting his workload on Doctors’ orders, did not preside over the Vatican’s Mass for Easter but appeared at the end of the event for a twice-yearly blessing and message known as the “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world).
Before a five-week hospital stay for pneumonia, which nearly killed him, Francis had been ramping up criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, referring to the situation in the Strip as “very serious and shameful” in January.
In the Easter message, the Pontiff said the situation in Gaza was “dramatic and deplorable.”
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The pope also called on the Hamas terror group to release its remaining hostages and condemned what he said was a “worrisome” trend of antisemitism in the world.
“I express my closeness to the sufferings … of all the Israeli people and the Palestinian people,” said the message.
Faithfull react, as Pope Francis travels on the Pope mobile, on the day the ”Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and to the world) message is delivered, on Easter Sunday, at the Vatican, April 20, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/GUGLIELMO MANGIAPANE) via TJP
“I appeal to the warring parties: call a ceasefire, release the hostages and come to the aid of a starving people that aspires to a future of peace,” it said.
Israel-Hamas ceasefire negotiations
Hamas last week rejected an Israeli proposal for another temporary truce, instead demanding a deal to end the war in exchange for the release of hostages. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday he had instructed the Israeli military to intensify pressure on Hamas.
Earlier on Sunday, Francis held a meeting at the Vatican with US Vice President JD Vance, who has been visiting Italy over the weekend.
The Vatican said the meeting with Vance was brief, “lasting a few minutes,” in order to exchange Easter greetings. – TJP
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