Pope Francis denounced "oppressive regimes" in his Easter message on Sunday but in an apparent call for restraint urged world leaders to prevent the spread of conflicts, as tensions rose in North Korea and Syria.
Francis delivered his blessing after celebrating Mass before a crowd of tens of thousands of pilgrims amid colorful pageantry and heightened security in a St. Peter's Square that was filled with spring flowers.
St. Peter's Square was packed despite a brief rainstorm and what Vatican officials said was the heaviest security checks ever for a public event at Vatican City, a nod to increased threats against the 80-year-old pontiff.
From the same balcony from where he first appeared to the world on the night of his election in 2013, Francis spoke of God walking "beside all those forced to leave their homelands as a result of armed conflicts, terrorist attacks, starvation and oppressive regimes". He highlighted the latest bombing in Syria where at least 100 people were killed at a bus depot near the city of Aleppo amid the ongoing mass evacuations happening in the besieged area.
Francis has repeatedly championed the dignity of migrants fleeing war, persecution or poverty. Today, throughout the world, the Church echoes once more the astonishing message of the first disciples: "Jesus is risen!"
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He also mentioned hostilities and starvation plaguing parts of Africa.
Coptic Christian Pope Tawadros II presided over Easter Mass at St. Mark's Cathedral in Cairo, with several government ministers in attendance.
Francis spoke of Europe's problems, mentioning the continued conflict and bloodshed in Ukraine, and prayed for hope for those struggling with high unemployment, especially young people.
"The Church never ceases to say, faced with our defeats, our closed and fearful hearts, 'stop, the Lord is risen.' But if the Lord is risen, how come these things happen?"
In the unscripted homily, Pope Francis said Easter brings a positive "sign in the midst of so many calamities".
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