‘There can be no peace without freedom of religion’- Pope Francis

mangaloretoday.com

Vatican, April 20, 2025: "In the face of the cruelty of conflicts that involve defenceless civilians and attack schools, hospitals and humanitarian workers, we cannot allow ourselves to forget that it is not targets that are struck, but persons, each possessed of a soul and human dignity," Pope Francis said.

In his last ‘Urbi et Orbi’ or message to the world, Pope Francis called for those in political responsibility not to yield to the logic of fear but to encourage initiatives that promote development.

“… use the resources available to help the needy, to fight hunger and to encourage initiatives that promote development. These are the “weapons” of peace: weapons that build the future, instead of sowing seeds of death!”

Francis, who passed away early Monday, made a surprise appearance on Easter Sunday, delivering a blessing from the loggia balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. He was, in March this year, admitted to hospital, suffering from two episodes of “acute respiratory failure”.

In his Easter message, delivered by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Francis appealed for peace in the conflict zones of Gaza and Ukraine, as well as in Yemen, Congo and Myanmar as a call to recognize the pain of migrants. “What a great thirst for death, for killing, we witness each day in the many conflicts raging in different parts of our world! How much violence we see, often even within families, directed at women and children! How much contempt is stirred up at times towards the vulnerable, the marginalized, and migrants!”

Franics added: “I express my closeness to the sufferings of Christians in Palestine and Israel, and to all the Israeli people and the Palestinian people. The growing climate of anti-Semitism throughout the world is worrisome. Yet at the same time, I think of the people of Gaza, and its Christian community in particular, where the terrible conflict continues to cause death and destruction and to create a dramatic and deplorable humanitarian situation. I appeal to the warring parties: call a ceasefire, release the hostages and come to the aid of a starving people that aspires to a future of peace!”

On the Ukraine conflict, Francis appealed for lasting peace. “May the risen Christ grant Ukraine, devastated by war, his Easter gift of peace, and encourage all parties involved to pursue efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace,” he said. Francis, since the Ukraine-Russia conflict, had met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky four times, thrice at the Vatican, the last being in October 2024. In May 2022, he indicated he wanted to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but got no official confirmation.

“There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and respect for the views of others. Nor is peace possible without true disarmament! The requirement that every people provide for its own defence must not turn into a race to rearmament. The light of Easter impels us to break down the barriers that create division and are fraught with grave political and economic consequences…,” Francis said.

“In the face of the cruelty of conflicts that involve defenceless civilians and attack schools, hospitals and humanitarian workers, we cannot allow ourselves to forget that it is not targets that are struck, but persons, each possessed of a soul and human dignity,” Pope Francis added, in what was to be his last message, urging for peace.