On Easter Sunday the Pope launched a dramatic message of peace in the face of the “winds of war” blowing in Europe

Pope Francis, in poor health, today presided over the two final ceremonies of Holy Week, the Mass of Resurrection and the “urbi et orbi” blessing, to the city of Rome and to the world, from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica. 60 thousand faithful who applauded him from the square. But a fact he fell by surprise On this very special morning for the Catholic world: the president of Indonesia invited the Pope to visit his country, making a difficult twelve-day trip official because it includes four Asian countries.

The bombshell news arrived while mass was being celebrated. In Francisco’s state of health, evidence of travel is a problem. That of Indonesia and other Asian countries, not yet formalized, constitutes an effort determined by the long journey and the sum of twelve days to carry it out.

Indonesia is the country with the largest Muslim population in the world and represents an effort by the Pope to promote religious tolerance. President Joko Widodo announced: “After waiting two years, Pope Francis will come to Indonesia.”

There are more trips planned to Europe this year. And on the horizon there is also the possibility that it will come true. a long trip to the birthplace of the Argentine Pope, which will end with a visit to Uruguay.

This morning Jorge Bergoglio appeared to be in good condition, after not having gone to the Colosseum on Good Friday for the 14 stations of Calvary, commented on this year by the pontiff himself.

In good shape, but still with difficulty moving due to ligament problems in his right knee. Francis wore a white cloak to combat the wind that blew across Rome.

In the square next to the atrium of the Basilica, in addition to the 60 thousand faithful, 350 religious people including cardinals, bishops and priests were present to celebrate with the Pope.

There was no homily during the ceremony. The atrium of the basilica appeared splendidly decorated with thousands of flowers sent by Dutch florists.

At the end of the ceremony, the Pope took a tour of the square amid applause and expressions of encouragement addressed to the Argentine pontiff by the faithful who greeted him as he passed in the popemobile.

The Pope returned inside the basilica and from the central loggia, on the same balcony where his election as pontiff was announced on 13 March 2013, he launched his Easter message and imparted the “Orbi et Urbi” blessing to the city and the world.

The Pope reviewed the conflicts and evils that humanity suffers. He said that God “opens the doors of life, those doors that we constantly close with the wars that proliferate in the world”.

The most dramatic moment for the faithful was the warning issued by the Pope against the “winds of war” blowing across Europe and the Mediterranean in the wake of the increasingly difficult complications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“War is always absurd and a defeat. Peace is not built with weapons but by holding out your hand and opening your heart. The risen Christ opens a path of peace for the “martyred regions” suffering from wars, he said.

The Pope mentioned the war between Russia and Ukraine, in which European countries participated, which helped the Ukrainians resist in an increasingly difficult situation.

The Pope asked a general exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine “Everything for everyone!” she exclaimed

He also called for peace in the war Israel is fighting against the Palestinians in Gaza.

“I reiterate the call to ensure that humanitarian aid can access Gaza,” Francisco said. The Argentine Pope called for the release of the hostages kidnapped on October 7 by the Palestinians and “an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip”.