Pope Francis calls for global peace and disarmament in Easter message

Peace cannot be achieved without disarmament, and the right to self-defence must not escalate into an arms race, Pope Francis declared in his traditional Urbi et Orbi (“To the City and the World”) Easter message.

The 88-year-old pontiff appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to personally deliver his message and extend Easter greetings to the faithful. His public appearance had been uncertain due to health concerns, but he participated in the ceremony, Caliber.Az reports.

“Nor is peace possible without true disarmament! The requirement that every people provide for its own defence must not turn into a race to rearmament,” the Pope stated.

Addressing the suffering caused by modern-day conflicts, the Pontiff emphasized the human toll of war. “In the face of the cruelty of conflicts that involve defenceless civilians and attack schools, hospitals and humanitarian workers, we cannot allow ourselves to forget that it is not targets that are struck, but persons, each possessed of a soul and human dignity.”

The Pope expressed particular concern for the Holy Land, highlighting the significance of this year’s Easter, when both Catholics and Orthodox Christians celebrate the Resurrection on the same day. “I express my closeness to the sufferings of Christians in Palestine and Israel, and to all the Israeli people and the Palestinian people,” he said.

He also called for prayers for Christian communities in the Middle East: “Let us pray for the Christian communities in Lebanon and in Syria, presently experiencing a delicate transition in its history. They aspire to stability and to participation in the life of their respective nations. I urge the whole Church to keep the Christians of the beloved Middle East in its thoughts and prayers.”

Turning to other regions of concern, Pope Francis expressed hopes for peace in the Caucasus and the Balkans.

“Let us remember the South Caucasus and pray that a final peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan will soon be signed and implemented, and lead to long-awaited reconciliation in the region,” he said. “May the light of Easter inspire efforts to promote harmony in the western Balkans and sustain political leaders in their efforts to allay tensions and crises, and, together with their partner countries in the region, to reject dangerous and destabilizing actions.” 

By Khagan Isayev