Pope Francis makes brief Easter appearance, calls for Gaza ceasefire

Pope Francis makes Easter appearance at the Vatican

VATICAN CITY (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - A recovering Pope Francis appeared on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to celebrate Easter services Sunday. The 88-year-old pontiff greeted the crowd of thousands gathered at the Vatican's St. Peter's Square and wished them a Happy Easter. Francis did not lead the Easter Mass. Instead, Cardinal Angelo Comastri deliver his homily on his behalf. In the address, the pope made a strong appeal for peace around the w…

"I appeal to the belligerents: cease fire, let the hostages be released and let precious aid be given to the starving population that aspires to a peaceful future," he said in his message, read by a collaborator from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Pope Francis also said that "no peace is possible where there is no religious freedom or freedom of thought and expression." The Pontiff urged political leaders "not to give in to the log…

Easter Message: 'Release hostages' - Pope Francis calls for Gaza ceasefire

Pope Francis on Easter Sunday called for a ceasefire in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine militant group, Hamas. The Catholic pontiff, who is still recovering from a near-fatal bout of double pneumonia, appeared on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica on Sunday as an aide read out his “Urbi et Orbi” – Latin for “To the city and the world”. The 88-year-old condemned the “deplorable humanitarian situation” caused by Israel’…

The religious leader appeared on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in a wheelchair, still convalescent of the serious respiratory infection that affects him

Pope Francis, still recovering from pneumonia, appeared on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on Sunday after Easter Mass to offer the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” blessing to the faithful gathered in the square. The article Pope Francis sent a message to all believers in the world on Easter day: “Christ weeps the tears of those who suffer” appears for the first time on Romania TV.

Pope delivers Easter message on Gaza via aide after serious illness

Pope Francis condemned Gaza’s “deplorable humanitarian situation” as he reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire in his Easter Sunday message read aloud by an aide. The pontiff, 88, while still recovering from pneumonia, made a brief appearance on the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica on Sunday (20 April). Francis did not preside over the Vatican's Mass for Easter, limiting his workload on doctors' orders. He appeared at the end of the …