On Easter Sunday, Pope Francis appeals for world peace
VATICAN CITY Pope Francis is making an Easter Sunday peace plea, saying conflicts have lasted too long in Syria, and between Israelis and Palestinians.
Francis also urges reconciliation on the Korean peninsula, where North Korea says it has entered "a state of war" with South Korea.
Before a crowd of 250,000 in St. Peter's Square he also denounced warfare and terrorism in Africa, and decried a greedy affluent world looking for "easy gain."
The pope celebrated his first Easter Sunday Mass as pontiff in a St. Peter's Square packed by joyous pilgrims, tourists and Romans and bedecked by spring flowers.
Wearing cream-colored vestments, Francis strode onto the esplanade in front of St. Peter's Basilica and took his place at an altar set up under a white canopy.
Faithful had already filled the square hours before the Mass began in mid-morning, and throughout the service streams of people kept flocking there for his speech and blessing, traditionally delivered after the Mass from the central balcony of the basilica.
Francis bowed his head in reflection as the Gospel was sung in Latin, recounting what Christians believe is the central mystery of their faith — the resurrection of Jesus after this death by crucifixion.
After heavy rain battered Rome during the night, more was forecast. But Sunday saw sunny skies alternate with clouds.
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With Rome's chilly, rainy winter postponing the blossoming of many flowers until recently, the square was a welcome riot of floral color in the city. Sprays of yellow forsythia and daffodils and white lilies — the colors of the Vatican flag — dominated, but there were also bursts of lavender and pink, from potted azalea, rhododendron, wisteria and other plants.
The pope's Easter speech has frequently been used by past pontiffs to reflect on the world's conflicts and ills.
Since Francis was elected pope on March 13, becoming the first Latin American and first Jesuit pontiff ever, he has put concern for the poor and others on the margins of society at the heart of his attention to set an example for his flock.