Pope Francis first Easter Mass

Pope Francis used his first Easter Sunday address to call for peace in the world and appealed for a diplomatic solution to the crisis on the Korean peninsula.

In his first 'Urbi et Orbi' - to the city and the world - message, Francis also called for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, an end to the civil war in Syria, and political solutions to conflicts in several African countries.

 

 

 

 

Francis delivered his message from the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica - the same spot from where he first appeared to the world as pope after his election on March 13 - to a crowd estimated by the Vatican to be at least 250,000 people.
'Peace in Asia, above all on the Korean peninsula: may disagreements be overcome and a renewed spirit of reconciliation grow,' he said, speaking in Italian.

 

North Korea said on Saturday it was entering a 'state of war' with South Korea. Tensions have been high since the North's new young leader Kim Jong-un ordered a third nuclear weapons test in February, breaching U.N. sanctions and ignoring warnings from North Korea's sole major ally, China, not to do so.

Francis, who has brought a more simple and personal style to the papacy, said the message of Easter is that faith can help people transform their lives by letting 'those desert places in our hearts bloom'.

Faithful: Pope Francis waves to the thousands of faithful in St Peter's Square after celebrating the Easter mass

Football fan: Pope Francis holds a San Lorenzo's shirt, the Buenos Aires football team, handed to him at the end of the Easter mass

Caring: Pope Francis hugs a child during the Easter Sunday celebrations

Blessed: Pope Francis hugs a child after celebrating his first Easter Mass

Crowds: Pope Francis (centre) waves to the crowd from the Popemobile in St Peter's Square today

Dialogue: Pope Francis speaks to the faithful in St Peter's Square

Laughter: Pope Francis greets the faithful prior to his first 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica