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Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two were martyred in an initial toll of the Israeli drone strike that targeted the al-Asira neighborhood in the city of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the al-Asira neighborhood east of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are the greatest resistance. Know that 'Israel' will fall because it embodies aggression, crime, and occupation; victory is truly yours
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: The value of what you are doing despite your wounds is immense, and here you are, treading the path of the Master of Nation's Martyrs and the leaders
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are moving forward with insight deeper than sight itself. The enemy sought to eliminate your role in the battle, yet you remain steadfast and continue the fight
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors one year later: You are healing from your wounds and rising above them. You have successfully passed the test
Palestinian media: Reports of stabbing operation in occupied al-Quds.
Israeli media: Sirens blare in Arava in South, near Ramon Airport.
Egyptian PM Mostafa Madbouli: Egypt is targeted in plans to redraw regional map
AEOI Chief Mohammad Eslami: Our presence in IAEA General Council and fact-checking helped in preventing unilateral rhetoric that aims to portray Iran as an unregulated country

Pope Francis calls for Gaza ceasefire in Easter message amid recovery

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 20 Apr 2025 14:13
3 Min Read

Pope Francis, still recovering from pneumonia, greeted Easter crowds from the popemobile.

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  • Pope Francis calls for Gaza ceasefire in Easter message amid recovery
    Pope Francis appears on the central lodge of St. Peter's Basilica to bestow the Urbi et Orbi (Latin for to the city and the world) blessing at the end of the Easter mass presided over by Cardinal Angelo Comastri in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Sunday, April 20, 2025. (AP)

Pope Francis made a public return on Easter Sunday, greeting tens of thousands of worshipers from the popemobile in St. Peter’s Square for the first time since his recovery from double pneumonia. The 88-year-old pontiff, though still limiting his schedule on doctors’ orders, delivered a powerful Easter message calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of captives, and global action against 'rising antisemitism'.

Appearing in an open-air popemobile after surviving a five-week hospital stay, Pope Francis waved gently to cheering crowds who filled the square, many waving national flags and chanting "viva il papa!" (long live the pope). The popemobile paused at several points around the flower-filled square, allowing papal aides to bring forward babies for the pontiff’s blessing.

Although he did not preside over the full Vatican Easter Mass due to health limitations, Pope Francis appeared at the conclusion of the service to deliver the traditional "Urbi et Orbi" blessing, a message "to the city and the world."

Pope calls for ceasefire and humanitarian aid in Gaza

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In a statement read aloud by an aide, the Pope’s Easter message described the situation in Gaza as “dramatic and deplorable.” He urged all warring parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire.

“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,” the statement read.

Francis also expressed “closeness to the sufferings of all the Israeli people and the Palestinian people,” while warning of what he described as a “worrisome” global trend of antisemitism.

Earlier in the day, Pope Francis held a brief meeting with US Vice President JD Vance, who was in Italy over the weekend. The Vatican described the encounter as short, lasting only a few minutes, and focused on exchanging Easter greetings.

Despite his recent health setback, Pope Francis used Easter Sunday, one of the most significant days in the Christian calendar, to emphasize the need for compassion, peace, and global unity. 

This comes as Gaza health officials reported earlier today that 44 people were killed and 145 injured in the past 24 hours amid ongoing Israeli strikes, bringing the death toll since October 7, 2023, to over 51,200.

  • Easter
  • war on Gaza
  • Gaza genocide
  • Israeli occupation
  • Pope Francis
  • Gaza ceasefire

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