In the document read at St. Peter’s Basilica on Sunday noon by Monsignor Diego Ravelli, master of ceremonies for the Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, the Holy Father lamented, “the great thirst for death, for killing (that) we see every day in the many conflicts raging in different parts of the world.”

The bishop of Rome referred to the complex situation in the Middle East, particularly in the Gaza Strip, where Israel’s aggression, which has already killed more than 46,000 Palestinians, “continues to bring death and destruction, provoking a dramatic and unworthy humanitarian crisis.”

The head of the Catholic Church also addressed the dire situation in Lebanon and Syria, whose peoples “yearn for stability and participation in the destiny of their respective nations.”

Yemen also faces “one of the world’s worst protracted humanitarian crises caused by war,” he added.

He encouraged “all parties involved in the Ukrainian war to pursue efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace.”

“Let us remember the South Caucasus and pray that a final peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan will soon be signed and implemented,” he urged.

In his Easter message, His Holiness also called “to break down the barriers that create division and are fraught with political and economic consequences to increase mutual solidarity, and work for the integral development of each person.”

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