Referring to ongoing tensions between Israelis and Palestinians, the Pope prayed for concord, "patience, openness and daily commitment to laying the foundations of a just and lasting peace through direct and sincere negotiations."
He also addressed the Ukraine war, praying for humanitarian initiatives in the country.
Praying also for "the seeds of hope and prospects for peace in Africa," Francis recalled the "political and social tensions" in countries such as Burundi, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan.
"With the weapons of love, God has defeated selfishness and death. His son Jesus is the door of mercy wide open to all."
The Pope remembered the "beloved people of Venezuela," and the "difficult conditions" they are facing. He called those "responsible for the country's future to work for the common good," and to seek "dialogue and cooperation."
"May efforts be made everywhere to promote the culture of counter, justice and reciprocal respect, which alone can guarantee the spiritual and material welfare of all people."
Francis also prayed that the Easter message may invite us to remember the floods of migrants and refugees -- "including many children" -- who flee "war, hunger, poverty and social injustice."
He called for the upcoming World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul to center on human dignity, and to establish policies which especially help the "most vulnerable" and those "persecuted for ethnic and religious reasons."
Reiterating his appeal for those affected by food crises brought about by climate change, he decried the earth being "so often mistreated and greedily exploited, resulting in an alteration of natural equilibria."
Finally, Francis prayed this Easter for all those who have lost hope, from the elderly who suffer loneliness and weakness, to young people who worry about the future.
"May this comforting message of Jesus help each of us to set out anew with greater courage to blaze trails of reconciliation with God and with all our brothers and sisters."
(Story continues below)
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Below is the full text of Pope Francis' Easter message:
Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!
Jesus Christ, the incarnation of God's mercy, out of love for us, died on the cross, and out of love he rose again from the dead. That is why we proclaim today: Jesus is Lord!
His resurrection fulfils the prophecy of the Psalm: God's mercy endures for ever; it never dies. We can trust him completely, and we thank him because for our sake he descended into the depths of the abyss.
Before the spiritual and moral abysses of mankind, before the chasms that open up in hearts and provoke hatred and death, only an infinite mercy can bring us salvation. Only God can fill those chasms with his love, prevent us from falling into them and help us to continue our journey together towards the land of freedom and life
The glorious Easter message, that Jesus, who was crucified is not here but risen (cf. Mt 28:5- 6), offers us the comforting assurance that the abyss of death has been bridged and, with it, all mourning, lamentation and pain (cf. Rev 21:4). The Lord, who suffered abandonment by his disciples, the burden of an unjust condemnation and shame of an ignominious death, now makes us sharers of his immortal life and enables us to see with his eyes of love and compassion those who hunger and thirst, strangers and prisoners, the marginalized and the outcast, the victims of oppression and violence. Our world is full of persons suffering in body and spirit, even as the daily news is full of stories of brutal crimes which often take place within homes, and large-scale armed conflicts which cause indescribable suffering to entire peoples.