Pope Francis invoked joy and peace in a message sent to the faithful celebrating Easter this Sunday.
Pope Francis, message of peace and joy on Orthodox Easter Sunday PHOTO Archive
“I address, with great affection, the most beautiful wishes to the brothers and sisters from the Orthodox Churches and from some Eastern Catholic Churches who today, according to the Julian calendar, celebrate Holy Easter. May the Risen Lord fill all communities with joy and peace and comfort those in trial. Happy Easter to them!” – said Pope Francis after the “Queen of Coeli” prayer on Sunday in St. Peter's Square, reports Vatican News, quoted by Agerpres.
After the “Regina Coeli” prayer, Pope Francis turned his thoughts to the population of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, in Brazil, affected by strong floods, assuring those affected of his prayers. “May the Lord receive the deceased and comfort their families and those who had to leave their homes”, said the pontiff.
Brazilian authorities confirmed on Saturday that the rains and overflowing rivers in the south of the country caused floods and left at least 66 dead, more than a hundred missing and more than 80,000 displaced.
The pope also renewed his call for dialogue for peace in the Middle East and asked the faithful to pray for Ukraine which “suffer a lot”.
“Please, let's continue to pray for the martyrs and sufferers in Ukraine and also for Palestine and Israel, so that peace will come and that the dialogue between them will strengthen and bear good fruit.”urged the sovereign pontiff.
