• 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.”

    Source: Vatican News