Pope Francis calls for Gaza ceasefire as he leads Easter Mass following health concerns

 

As he celebrates Easter Mass, Pope Francis requests a ceasefire in Gaza due to health concerns.

In his customary Easter speech, Pope Francis urged Israel and Hamas to cease hostilities, raising fresh worries about the 87-year-old pontiff's health.

Speaking to tens of thousands of people in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Francis denounced war as a "absurdity" and addressed the problems in Europe and the Middle East.

Due to ill health, the Pope has had to cancel events recently or speak less frequently, but on Easter Sunday, the most significant day in the Christian calendar, he spoke the full "Urbi et Orbi" and seemed happy, waving to the crowd.

The Vatican said that Francis had abruptly cancelled his Good Friday service in order "to preserve his health" for the remainder of the weekend's festivities.

The Pope has been presiding over five Holy Week liturgies since Thursday, including an Easter Vigil that lasted more than two hours on Saturday at St. Peter's Basilica.

Following his abdominal surgery and hospitalisation for bronchitis last year, papal observers have been keeping a careful eye on the octogenarian's health.

In recent weeks, the Pope was admitted to the hospital for testing. Additionally, when he was ill with the flu, bronchitis, or colds, he would often rely on his assistants to read aloud portions of his speeches.

However, Francis has also demonstrated a resolve to partake in Holy Week and Easter to the fullest extent possible—the busiest period of the year for any pope.The Pope has stated that he sees the pope as a lifelong ministry and that he has no plans to step down. Due to mobility issues, he often uses a wheelchair, although he has said that his "head"—rather than his legs—rules the church.

In his speech on Sunday, Pope Francis reaffirmed his demand for a "prompt release of the hostages" and "access to humanitarian aid be ensured to Gaza," in addition to a "immediate ceasefire" in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Regarding the conflict in Ukraine, the pope called for a “wide exchange of prisoners” between the opposing sides and encouraged world leaders to “strengthen the winds of war.”He claimed that war-torn children had "forgotten how to smile."

Francis also urged everyone with "political responsibilities" to put an end to the evil of human trafficking and to assist those who are suffering from "food insecurity and the effects of climate change."

Later, the Pope arrived in his popemobile to meet the enormous masses that had gathered for the Easter ceremonies.

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