VATICAN CITY (AP) – Pope Francis ‘scandalous’ in his traditional Easter Sunday speech, how armed conflicts raged, even though the coronavirus pandemic caused severe social and economic suffering and swollen the ranks of the poor.
Francis tempered the joy of his “Urbi et Orbi ″ Address (Latin for“ To the City and to the World ”) on the Christian holiday, along with reports of pain from the world’s many armed conflicts in Africa, the Middle East , Latin America, Asia and Eastern Europe.
Francis described the vaccines as an ‘essential tool’ in the fight against the pandemic and called for a ‘spirit of global responsibility’, as he urged nations to overcome ‘vaccine delays’ and ensure that the shots reach the poorest countries.
“Everyone, especially the vulnerable among us, needs help and has the right to access the necessary care.” said the pope.
He sounded indignant at the start of his speech, saying 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 is still severe, especially for the poor. Nevertheless – and this is scandalous – armed conflicts have not ended, and military arsenals are being strengthened, Franc Francis said, sounding angry. “This is today’s scandal.”
The pope prayed that public authorities would ensure that those in need had a decent standard of living. Unfortunately, the pandemic has dramatically increased the number of poor and the despair of thousands of people. ”
He lamented the plight of people plagued by war and other conflicts, referring to Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the world, which had been shaken by violent protests and political strife, including a suspected coup. Francis urged Haitians “not to be overwhelmed by problems, but to look to the future with confidence and hope.”
Francis encouraged young people in Myanmar who are “committed to supporting democracy and making their voices heard peacefully”. Protesters in Myanmar took to the streets with painted eggs in reference to Easter. Myanmar’s army has violently tried to destroy those who opposed a coup on February 1, which ousted a democratically elected government.
Francis thanks Lebanon and Jordan for taking in refugees from the war in Syria and prays that peace will eventually come to ‘millions of people in inhumane conditions’. He also prayed for the end of conflict in Yemen and Libya.
Referring to the suffering of people in Africa, he rejected ‘internal violence and international terrorism, especially in the Sahel and Nigeria’. Other difficult areas he mentioned were the province of Tigray in Ethiopia and the province of Cabo Delgado in Mozambique, which is bloodied by days of fighting with rebels for control of a city.
Francis prayed for the safe return of prisoners of long-running conflicts in Europe, in eastern Ukraine and in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Earlier in the day, Francis celebrated Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful in the pews numbered barely 200, in accordance with the pandemic protocols, compared to the usual thousands.
Normally, Francis would deliver his Easter speech on world affairs from the central balcony of the basilica overlooking St. Peter’s Square. Instead, he read it for the second consecutive Easter indoors to discourage the crowd from gathering.
“Dear brothers and sisters, many Christians have celebrated Easter in different places again this year under severe restrictions and sometimes without being able to attend liturgical celebrations,” Francis said before offering a special Apostolic blessing to faithful worldwide.
“We pray that these restrictions, as well as all restrictions on freedom of worship and religion worldwide, may be lifted and that everyone may be allowed to pray and praise God freely,” the pope said.