Pope Calls for Peace in Regions

The leader of the worldwide Catholic Church, Pope Francis, called for world peace amid ongoing wars and conflicts at the peak of the Easter celebration in the Vatican. Peace is what people are waiting for in a number of countries and regions.

Reuters/Osservatore Romano

Pope Francis appears before delivering his Easter message in the Urbi et Orbi (to the City and the World) address from the balcony overlooking St. Peter\'s Square at the Vatican April 1, 2018.

VATICAN, SUNDAY – The leader of the worldwide Catholic Church, Pope Francis, called for world peace amid ongoing wars and conflicts at the peak of the Easter celebration in the Vatican on Sunday (1/4/2018). Peace is what people are waiting for in a number of countries and regions, including in Syria, the Middle East, the Korean Peninsula and several regions in Africa, which are affected by hunger, endemic conflict and terrorism.

In his traditional papal address “Urbi et Orbi” (“To the City [of Rome] and the World”), the Pope said the message of Jesus Christ’s resurrection was hope. Real hope is needed by a world marked with injustice and violence.

“It bears fruits of hope and dignity where there are deprivation and exclusion, hunger and unemployment; where there are migrants and refugees, so often rejected by today’s culture of waste, and victims of the drug trade, human trafficking and contemporary forms of slavery,” the pope said.

Tens of thousands of people congregated at Saint Peter’s Square to celebrate Easter. They patiently lined up for security checks before joining the Mass. The Dutch government donated more than 50,000 flowers, including tulips, roses and orchids.

In his message, the pope called for an immediate end to the conflict in Syria. He said he really hoped aid would be delivered to Syrians as swiftly as possible through proper channels. The pope wished for all parties to ensure the safety of those in need of refuge from their homes as well as those who wished to return home from their refugee shelters.

The pope also called for reconciliation in Israel and urged all involved parties to respect one another in Yemen. This is deemed necessary to unite the numerous differences in the country. He said he had the same hope for all of the Middle East.

Pope Francis also conveyed his hope for peace on the Korean Peninsula. The ongoing negotiations in response to the dynamics in the region are hoped to lead to peace. Parties directly involved in negotiations on the Korean Peninsula must act responsibly and wisely for the good of Koreans.

He also said steps should be taken to bring harmony to Ukraine. He urged for peace in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Pope also called for the world not to forget victims of conflicts, especially children.

At the Mass on the eve of Easter on Saturday night, the Pope urged Christians not to remain silent in the face of injustice around them. Christians must be able to step out of their routine, voice their rejection of injustice and let God be present in their activities for the benefit of others. The pope delivered this call before baptizing eight adults, including Nigerian beggars and illegal immigrants who fought robbers in Rome, Italy, with their bare hands.

KOMPAS/ARBAIN RAMBEY

Thousands of Catholics recite prayers while lighting candles and walking around Larantuka city on the evening of Good Friday (30/3). The statue of Tuan Ma (Mary) was brought along during the procession.

Mass in Indonesia

In Indonesia, Christians were urged to safeguard diversity and not to spread hoaxes. The call was delivered by Pastor Cosmas Boli Tukan MSF at the Easter Eve Mass at the Banjarmasin Cathedral in South Kalimantan.

“Before spreading dubious and unconfirmed news, we need to use our mind and our heart to think whether it is right, good and useful,” he said.

Pastor Vitalis Cp of Pulang Pisau Regency Catholic Church in Central Kalimantan said Easter was a moment for the church’s emergence. Therefore, the church must not remain silent in seeing problems in society. “Churches that take the safest route and separate themselves from the people’s problems will be left far behind,” he said.

According to Vitalis, numerous social problems, including hate speech, spreading of hoaxes and violence are undermining the nation. Therefore, churches need to fortify their congregations and local church groups, community groups and youth organizations to take part in solving these problems.

(AP/AFP/JUM/IDO/BEN)

KOMPAS/KORNELIS KEWA AMA

The statue of Tuan Meninu (Jesus) arrives at Kuce Beach after being brought nearly 5 miles by thousands of pilgrims by sea from Tuan Meninu Chapel in Lebao Parish to Lebao village in Larantuka Cathedral. The statue of Tuan Meninu was then put next to the statue of Tuan Ma, which was also moved from Tuan Ma Chapel to the cathedral, before being brought in a parade around Larantuka city by the pilgrims.