In an Easter message emphasizing hope, Pope Francis called for prayers Sunday for both the Ukrainian and Russian people, praised nations hosting refugees and called on Israelis and Palestinians affected by the latest outbreak of violence that create a “climate of trust”.

Among the spring flowers that decorated Saint Peter’s Square, Pope Francis celebrated together with dozens of prelates and tens of thousands of pilgrims and tourists the most important day of the Christian calendar, inspired by the Christian belief that Jesus rose after his crucifixion.

The 86-year-old pontiff completed the event with a traditional speech on world conflicts. He called for “trust between people, peoples and nations” and said that the joy of Easter “illuminates the darkness and sorrow that too often engulfs our world.”

The Pope’s Easter message is known by its Latin name, “Urbi et Orbi,” or “for the city and for the world.”

Since Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine in February 2022, Francis has repeatedly called for an end to the fighting and asked for prayers for the “martyred” Ukrainian people.

Ukrainian diplomats have complained that the pontiff has not been tough enough in his remarks on Russia and particularly on President Vladimir Putin, as the Vatican tries to avoid a clash with Moscow.

“Help the beloved Ukrainian people on their journey towards peace, and bring Easter light to the people of Russia,” Francis implored God in his message from a chair on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica overlooking Square. “Comfort the wounded and all those who have lost loved ones to the war, and allow prisoners to return safely to their families.”

He urged the international community to work to end the war in Ukraine and “all conflict and bloodshed in the world, starting with Syria, which is still waiting for peace.” Francis also prayed for those who lost loved ones in an earthquake that struck Syria and Turkey two months ago, killing tens of thousands of people.

Following the renewal of deadly violence affecting Israelis and Palestinians in recent days, Francis called for a “resumption of dialogue, in a climate of trust and mutual respect, between Israelis and Palestinians, so that peace can reign in the Holy City.” and in all the region”, in a reference to Jerusalem.

But Francis also pointed to progress on some fronts. “Let us rejoice at the concrete signs of hope that are reaching us from so many countries, starting with those that offer assistance and welcome to all those fleeing from war and poverty,” he said, without mentioning any specific country.

The debate about how to treat asylum seekers, migrants and refugees and whether to allow them entry is a hot political and social issue in much of Europe, the United States and elsewhere.

The violent conflicts cited by Francis were in stark contrast to the brightly colored festival, with orange and red tulips, flashes of yellow forstythias, and daffodils, hyacinths and other seasonal flowers decorating St. Peter’s Square. The flowers arrived by truck from the Netherlands before being placed in the square.

Some 45,000 people had gathered at the venue by the time the mid-morning mass began, according to Vatican security services, although the crowd reached about 100,000 before the midday appointment to see the pope’s message.

A canopy at the edge of the steps in the square protected the pontiff during mass, 12 hours after a vigil of more than two hours in St. Peter’s Basilica the night before.

Francis, 86, who is recovering from bronchitis, skipped the traditional Good Friday procession at the Colosseum in Rome due to unusually cold temperatures at night.

Francis has generally recovered after spending three days hospitalized in Rome last week, receiving intravenous antibiotics to combat bronchitis. He was discharged on April 1.

But toward the end of more than two hours of Easter Sunday rallies, Francis began to look tired. His voice became hoarse and at one point he interrupted his speech to cough.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project