Pope calls for Easter truce in Palm Sunday Vatican service UK News
The pope has called for a ceasefire on Easter in Ukraine, explicitly referring to Russia, questioning the value of hoisting a victory flag “on a pile of rubble”.
He was speaking at the end of a Palm Sunday service in St. Peter’s Square on behalf of about 50,000 people, the first time since 2019 that the public has been allowed to attend after two years of retreat services due to Kovid restrictions.
“Put down your weapons! Let’s start an Easter ceasefire. But a ceasefire is not about re-arming and resuming fighting, but about achieving peace through open real talks about making some sacrifices for the good of the people, ”Pope said.”Really, what success would there be in planting a flag on a pile of rubble?”
The 85-year-old pope had to skip the traditional procession from the obelisk in the center of the square to the altar on the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica due to pain in his knee.Instead, he watched as he sat on the altar and limped as he recited the Divine Sacrifice.
In his speech, he highlighted the horrors of war, saying, “Mothers mourn the unjust death of their husbands and sons.Refugees fleeing bombs with children …Young people who have lost a future … Soldiers are sent to kill their brothers and sisters.