Pope Francis, the first Latin American to lead the Roman Catholic Church, has passed away at the age of 88, the Vatican announced in a video message on Monday. His death marks the end of a 12-year papacy that was marked by both change and controversy within the Church. The Pope gave what would be his last Easter message just days before his death — an impassioned call for peace, healing, and unity in a divided world.
Final Blessing from the Balcony
On Easter Sunday, recuperating from bilateral pneumonia, Pope Francis briefly appeared from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica. Although visibly frail, he saluted the faithful assembled in a tulip-filled St. Peter’s Square. Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, read the Pope’s prepared text aloud: “Christ is risen.”
“Christ, my hope, has risen,” Pope Francis wrote, calling on the faithful to look to the empty tomb. He spoke of the resurrection not as a theory but as reality, a life-changing force. “Today too,” he said, “he takes upon himself all the evil that weighs us down and transforms it.”
Love Over Hate, Light Over Darkness
Pope Francis used his last public speech to look back on the victory of love over hatred. “Love has conquered hatred, light has conquered darkness, and truth has conquered falsehood. Forgiveness has conquered revenge,” he stated. “Evil has not been eradicated from history… but it no longer holds the upper hand over those who embrace the grace of this day.”
Despite the festive moment, the Pope did not hesitate to address human suffering throughout the world. His message was a call to faith and an appeal for action.
“Come to the Aid of a Starving People”
Francis started his international appeal with the Holy Land. “I again call for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, for the liberation of the hostages… and for access to humanitarian aid,” he stated, emphasizing the continued destruction in Gaza.
He gave his backing to Christian communities in Syria and Lebanon, and invited the international Church to pray for Middle Eastern Christians. Concerning Yemen, he appealed for resolution of the long-standing humanitarian crisis through “constructive dialogue.”
“Just and Lasting Peace” for Ukraine
Pope Francis prayed for Ukraine, a country “battered by war,” and called on the peace of the Risen Christ. He called for ongoing diplomatic efforts toward a “just and lasting peace.”
He spoke of tensions in the South Caucasus, praying for reconciliation between Azerbaijan and Armenia. For the Western Balkans, he prayed that Easter would encourage leaders to opt for harmony rather than division.
Africa’s Cry for Justice and Freedom
The Pope spoke next about Africa, where he lamented what has happened and is happening in Sudan, South Sudan, and the Sahel region. “Before the atrocities of conflicts in which innocent civilians are used, defenceless citizens and indiscriminate targets attacked like schools, hospitals, humanitarian agents, we can not make the error to lose sight that the struck are not targets but human beings, each bearer of human dignity and a soul.
He especially prayed for religious freedom, saying: “There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and respect for the views of others.” He added that true peace requires disarmament.
“Break Down the Barriers That Divide Us”
Appealing to a redistribution of world resources, the Pope declared: “The light of Easter impels us to break down the barriers that divide us.” He appealed to political leaders to turn away from fear and militarization and “fight hunger and encourage initiatives that promote development.”
“These,” he said, “are the ‘weapons’ of peace: weapons that build the future, instead of sowing seeds of death!”
The Pope prayed for Myanmar, which was still shaken by internal strife and a massive earthquake. “The news of a ceasefire is a sign of hope for the entire Myanmar,” he said, appealing to solidarity with victims and their families.
In conclusion, Francis asked for the freedom of political detainees and prisoners of war. “What a great thirst for death, for killing, we witness each day,” he said in lament. “May the principle of humanity never fail to be the hallmark of our daily actions.”
Pope Francis: Lasting Legacy of Peace
Pope Francis ended his last speech with a strong pronouncement, “The Risen Christ fills us with the certainty that we too are called to share in the life that knows no end, when the clash of arms and the rumble of death will be heard no more.”
His Easter message will be a powerful and lasting testament to his mission of compassion, global justice, and unity. While the world laments his death, it is this final call to peace that will resound in the hearts of millions.
