Pope overcomes health concerns to preside over Easter Mass and appeal for peace in Gaza and Ukraine
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Pope Francis rallied from a winter-long bout of respiratory problems to lead some 60,000 people in Easter celebrations Sunday, making a strong appeal for a cease-fire in Gaza and a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine. Francis presided over Easter Sunday Mass in a flower-decked St. Peter’s Square and then delivered a heartfelt prayer for peace in his annual roundup of global crises. The Vatican said some 60,000 people attended the Mass, with more packing the Via della Conciliazione boulevard leading to the piazza. Francis appeared in good form, despite having celebrated the 2½-hour nighttime Easter Vigil just hours before. In his speech, he called for respect for the principles of international law and expressed hope for a general exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine. He also called for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and for humanitarian access to reach Palestinians. The article also mentions the subdued Easter celebrations in Jerusalem due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, as well as the situation in Gaza where only a few dozen Palestinian Christians celebrated Easter Mass. In Iraq's Nineveh Plains, hundreds of people celebrated Easter in a region that has had a Christian presence since around the time of Jesus. The article also briefly mentions King Charles III's public outing in Britain since being diagnosed with cancer and the disruption of the Easter Vigil Mass at Manhattan's St. Patrick's Cathedral by protesters calling for the freedom of Palestine.
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