Pope Francis in Easter Message Calls for Ceasefire in Gaza, Ukraine

Pope Francis has used his traditional Easter message to call for a ceasefire at the Gaza Strip and for the return of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

The 87-year-old Pope led Easter Mass to the Vatican in front of thousands of people, despite concerns about his health.

Referring to the conflicts worldwide, the pope prayed not to be “subject to the logic of weapons and reforestation”.

“Peace is never done with arms, but with outstretched hands and open-hearted”, he said.

Tens of thousands of believers gathered in St. Peter's Square to hear the Pope.

As the new ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas were due to begin, Pope Francescu said: “I call once again to ensure access to humanitarian aid in Gaza and call once again for the immediate release of hostages caught on 7 October and for an immediate ceasefire at the Gaza Strip, reports the BBC, broadcast Klanosovatv.

Referring to the impact of war on civilians, starting with children, he said: “What pain we see in their eyes! Their eyes ask us: Why? Why all these deaths? Why all this destruction? War is always absurd and a defeat”.

Pope Francescu also warned the countries not to disarm and spoke of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine a little more than two years since Russia began its full-scale invasion of its neighbour.