VATICAN CITY (AP) – Pope Francis, in his traditional speech on Easter Sunday, denounced as “scandalous” how armed conflicts continue to rage, even when the coronavirus pandemic has unleashed severe social and economic suffering and has joined the ranks of poor.
Francisco spiced his speech “Urbi et Orbi ″ (Latin for“ For the city and for the world ”) wishes for joy on the day of the Christian feast along with reports of pain from the many armed conflicts on the globe in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Asia and Eastern Europe.
Describing vaccines as an “essential tool” in the pandemic battle, Francis called for a “spirit of global responsibility” by encouraging nations to overcome “delays in vaccine delivery” and ensure that vaccines reach the poorest nations.
“Everyone, especially the most vulnerable among us, needs assistance and has the right to access necessary care.” said the pontiff.
He sounded a note of indignation at the beginning of his speech, lamenting that there was no shortage of war and conflict during the world’s worst health crisis in a century.
“The pandemic is still spreading, while the social and economic crisis remains severe, especially for the poor. However – and this is scandalous – the armed conflicts have not ended and the military arsenals are being strengthened, ″ said Francis, looking angry. “This is today’s scandal.”
The pontiff prayed that public authorities would see to it that those in need of assistance have a “decent standard of living. Unfortunately, the pandemic has dramatically increased the number of poor people and the despair of thousands of people ”.
He deplored the plight of people affected by war and other conflicts, citing Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the world and one that has been devastated by violent protests and political struggles, including a supposed coup. Francisco urged Haitians to “not allow themselves to be overcome by difficulties, but to look to the future with confidence and hope”.
Francisco encouraged young people in Myanmar who are “committed to supporting democracy and making their voices heard peacefully”. Protesters in Myanmar took to the streets holding painted eggs in reference to Easter. Myanmar’s military tried violently to suppress those who opposed the February 1 coup that overthrew a democratically elected government.
Francisco thanked Lebanon and Jordan for receiving refugees from the war in Syria, praying that peace will finally reach “millions are living in inhuman conditions”. He also prayed for an end to the conflicts in Yemen and Libya.
Citing the plight of people in Africa, he lamented “internal violence and international terrorism, especially in the Sahel and Nigeria”. Other problem areas he mentioned were the province of Tigray, in Ethiopia, and the province of Cabo Delgado, in Mozambique, which has been bloodied for days of fighting with rebels for control of a city.
Francis prayed for the safe return of prisoners from long conflicts in Europe, eastern Ukraine and Nagorno-Karabkh.
Earlier in the day, Francis celebrated Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful in the pews were barely 200 according to pandemic protocols, compared to the usual thousands.
Normally, Francis would make his Easter speech on world affairs, made from the central porch of the basilica overlooking St. Peter’s Square. Instead, for the second Easter in a row, he read it indoors to discourage crowds.
“Dear brothers and sisters, again this year, in many places, many Christians celebrated Easter under severe restrictions and sometimes without being able to attend liturgical celebrations,” said Francis, before offering a special apostolic blessing to the faithful of Worldwide.
“We pray that these restrictions, as well as all restrictions on freedom of worship and religion around the world, will be lifted and everyone can pray and praise God freely,” said the pontiff.