VATICAN CITY—Pope Francis on Sunday renewed his calls for the release of Israeli hostages and an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as fresh truce negotiations between Israel and Hamas were due to begin.
“I appeal once again that access to humanitarian aid be ensured to Gaza, and call once more for the prompt release of the hostages seizedon October 7 and for an immediate ceasefire in the Strip,” the Pope said in his Easter message in the Vatican where he pronounced the “Urbi et Orbi” (To the City and the World) blessing.
He also called for a Russia-Ukraine prisoner swap as the war between the countries grinds into a third year.
“In calling for respect for the principles of international law, Iexpress my hope for a general exchange of all prisoners between Russiaand Ukraine,” he told tens of thousands of Catholics gathered at Saint Peter’s Square.
The 87-year-old arrived in a wheelchair to preside over the mass from10:00 am (0800 GMT) in cloudy and windy weather, with the events broadcast live around the globe.
Easter Sunday marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is theculmination of Holy Week, a major part of the Catholic calendarfollowed by 1.3 billion people.
The pope on Saturday presided over the Easter Vigil at the Vatican infront of some 6,000 people from around the world, a day after hislast-minute cancellation at a major Good Friday procession revived questions about his health.
He delivered a 10-minute homily in Italian, speaking without any unduedifficulty and condemning “the walls of selfishness and indifference” in the world.
At the end of the two-and-a-half-hour service he showed little sign of fatigue, taking time to greet and bless some of the worshippers.