Pope Francis in his final message on Easter Sunday, declared that no peace without freedom of religion, thought and expression.
His death comes a day after he appeared in St Peter’s Square to wish “Happy Easter” to thousands of worshippers
He was recently discharged from hospital last month after five weeks of treatment for an infection.
Pope Francis said no peace without freedom of religion, thought and expression
An aide read on his behalf:
Quote Message
There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression.”
In his final address, the pontiff 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 called growing global antisemitism “worrisome”.
“What a great thirst for death, for killing we see in the many conflicts raging in different parts of the world,” he said.
“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.”
The Pope also encouraged all parties involved in the Ukraine war to “pursue efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace”.
