Pope Francis' Urbi et Orbi Message: 'We implore gifts of peace'

By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

After greeting the faithful and addressing an Easter message to them, Pope Francis named countries for whom “today we implore fruits of peace” in his "Urbi et Orbi" message:

Syria: “whose people are worn down by an apparently endless war (…) that a swift end may be brought to the carnage in course.”

The Holy Land, Yemen and the Middle East: “That dialogue and mutual respect may prevail over division and violence.”

The continent of Africa, especially the South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo: “We invoke on this day fruits of hope for those who yearn for a more dignified life (...) in all those areas (...) deeply affected by hunger, endemic conflicts and terrorism.”

The Korean peninsula: “We implore fruits of dialogue (…) that the discussions under way may advance harmony and peace within the region.”  

The Ukraine: “We also beseech fruits of peace (…) that the steps taken to favour harmony may be consolidated, and facilitated by the humanitarian initiatives needed by its people.”

Venezuela: “May that nation, by the power of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, find a just, peaceful and humane way to surmount quickly the political and humanitarian crises that grip it.”