Daily Mail

Pope Francis used his first Easter Sunday address to call for peace in the world and appealed for a diplomatic solution to the crisis on the Korean peninsula.

In his first ‘Urbi et Orbi’ – to the city and the world – message, Francis also called for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, an end to the civil war in Syria, and political solutions to conflicts in several African countries.

The former Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina, who has made defence of nature an early hallmark of his pontificate, also condemned the ‘iniquitous exploitation of natural resources’ and urged everyone to be ‘guardians’ of creation.

Call for peace: Pope Francis used his first ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing to call for peace

End to conflicts: In his first Easter speech, Francis called for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, an end to the civil war in Syria, and political solutions to conflicts in several African countries

‘Guardians of creation’: The former Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina condemned the ‘iniquitous exploitation of natural resources’ and urged everyone to be ‘guardians’ of creation

Message: Francis said the message of Easter is that faith can help people transform their lives by letting ‘those desert places in our hearts bloom’

Francis delivered his message from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica – the same spot from where he first appeared to the world as pope after his election on March 13 – to a crowd estimated by the Vatican at at least 250,000 people.

‘Peace in Asia, above all on the Korean peninsula: may disagreements be overcome and a renewed spirit of reconciliation grow,’ he said, speaking in Italian.

North Korea said on Saturday it was entering a ‘state of war’ with South Korea. Tensions have been high since the North’s new young leader Kim Jong-un ordered a third nuclear weapons test in February, breaching U.N. sanctions and ignoring warnings from North Korea’s sole major ally, China, not to do so.

Francis, who has brought a more simple and personal style to the papacy, said the message of Easter is that faith can help people transform their lives by letting ‘those desert places in our hearts bloom’.

Faithful: Pope Francis waves to the thousands of faithful in St Peter’s Square after celebrating the Easter mass

Football fan: Pope Francis holds a San Lorenzo’s shirt, the Buenos Aires football team, handed to him at the end of the Easter mass

Caring: Pope Francis hugs a child during the Easter Sunday celebrations

Blessed: Pope Francis hugs a child after celebrating his first Easter Mass

Crowds: Pope Francis (centre) waves to the crowd from the Popemobile in St Peter’s Square today

Dialogue: Pope Francis speaks to the faithful in St Peter’s Square

Laughter: Pope Francis greets the faithful prior to his first ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica

‘How many deserts, even today, do human beings need to cross! Above all, the desert within, when we have no love for God or neighbour, when we fail to realise that we are guardians of all that the creator has given us and continues to give us,’ he said.

Earlier, at a Mass in a square bedecked by more than 40,000 plants and flowers, the pope wore relatively simple white vestments, as opposed to his predecessor Benedict, who preferred more elaborate robes.

The huge crowd spilled out of St. Peter’s Square and into surrounding streets and included many who had come to see a pope they hope could give a new start to a Church that has been marred by scandals involving sexual abuse of children and allegations of corruption.

‘It’s a new pope and new beginning,’ said Tina Hughes, 67, who visited Rome with her family from Nottingham. ‘I think he brings something special. He connects with people. I feel good about him.’

Kiss: Pope Francis kisses a baby after celebrating his first Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Square

Greetings: Pope Francis sets off in the popemobile to make this way through the crowds during the celebrations today. Pictured right, Francis salutes cardinal Angelo Sodano (left) in St. Peter’s Square

Popemobile: Pope Francis greets the faithful prior to his first ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing

Service: Pope Francis arrives to celebrate Easter mass at the Vatican this morning

Blessing: The pope was due to give his first Easter speech and blessing after the Mass today

Francis, who took his name in honour of St. Francis of Assisi, who is revered as a symbol of austerity and the importance of the natural world, said: ‘Peace in the whole world, still divided by greed looking for easy gain, wounded by the selfishness which threatens human life and the family, selfishness that continues in human trafficking, the most extensive form of slavery in this 21st century.

‘Peace to the whole world, torn apart by violence linked to drug trafficking and by the iniquitous exploitation of natural resources! Peace to this our Earth! May the risen Jesus bring comfort to the victims of natural disasters and make us responsible guardians of creation.’

After the Mass in St. Peter’s Square, Francis shared in the crowd’s exuberance as they celebrated the belief that Jesus Christ rose from the dead following crucifixion. Aboard an open-topped popemobile, Francis took a lighthearted spin through the joyous gatherers, kissing babies and patting children on the head.

One admirer of the pope and his favourite soccer team, Argentina’s Saints of San Lorenzo, insisted that Francis take a team shirt he was waving at the pontiff. The pope obliged, briefly holding up the shirt.

Expectant: The faithful had already filled the square hours before the Mass began in mid-morning, presided over by Pope Francis

Mass: Pope Francis presided over Easter Sunday Mass before 250,000 people in St Peter’s Square

Communion: Pope Francis celebrates the Eucharist during the Easter service today

Celebrations: Pope Francis leads the Easter celebrations in St Peter’s Square today

Easter Mass: Pope Francis prior to delivering his first ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica during Easter Mass

Vatican: : Pope Francis (centre) before delivering his first ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing during Easter Mass

Easter Sunday, the day Christians believe Jesus was resurrected from the dead three days after his crucifixion, was the culmination of four hectic days of activity for the pope, during which he instituted several novelties.

On Holy Thursday, two women were included among the 12 people whose feet he washed and kissed during a traditional ceremony that had previously been open only to men.

Francis is still living in the same Vatican guesthouse where he stayed during the conclave that elected him the first non-European pope in 1,300 years, instead of moving into the regal papal apartments in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace.

He has also been inviting ordinary people to his morning Mass at the guesthouse, including Vatican street sweepers and gardeners.

Preparations: St Peter’s square before the Easter celebrations today

Standing to attention: Swiss guards at St Peter’s square before the Easter celebrations

Arrival: Swiss guards make their way through the crowds at St Peter’s square

History: The Pope’s Easter speech has been used by past pontiffs to reflect on the world’s conflicts and ills

Flags: Pilgrims wave an Argentinian flag in honour of Pope Frances before the Easter celebrations today

STREETS OF FLORENCE PACKED FOR THE ‘EXPLOSION OF THE CART’ FOLK TRADITION

Locals and tourists packed the streets of Florence today, for the ‘Explosion of the Cart’ folk tradition.

A cart packed with pyrotechnics provides a spectacle on Easter Sunday in the city as part of a tradition.

The show is supposed to guarantee a good harvest and business, according to the tradition.

Explosions: Locals and tourists attend the ‘Explosion of the Cart’ folk tradition of Florence

Tradition: On Easter Sunday, a cart packed with pyrotechnics provides a spectacle in Florence

Fireworks: The show is supposed to guarantee a good harvest and business, according to tradition

Spectacular: The cart looks impressive even before the fireworks begin

Categories: Christianity in the news

Tags: Easter