Pope Francis Prayed For People Of Gaza In Last Easter Message: 'No Peace Without Freedom Of....'

Pope Francis prayed for the people of Gaza in his Easter message on Sunday for what was his last public appeareance before passing away at the age of 88 on Monday. He appeared at the Vatican's St Peter's Square to wish "Happy Easter" to thousands of worshippers.

The pontiff came out in a wheelchair and waved from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica to cheering crowds below, saying: "Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter."

The Pope's Easter blessing, delivered by a clergy member, said: "There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and respect for the views of others."

"What a great thirst for death, for killing we see in the many conflicts raging in different parts of the world," the Pope said in the address.

He also remembered the people of Gaza, in particular its Christian population, as the conflict "causes death and destruction" and creates a "deplorable humanitarian situation".

He also termed growing global antisemitism "worrisome".

"I express my closeness to the sufferings... for all the Israeli people and the Palestinian people," the message said. "Call a ceasefire, release the hostages and come to the aid of a starving people that aspires to a future of peace."

 

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