"No peace is possible without true disarmament! The need that every people has to provide for its own defense cannot be transformed into a general race for rearmament." This is what the Pope wrote in the Urbi et Orbi blessing message read by Monsignor Diego Ravelli on Easter Sunday.

The Pontiff calls for peace in the Holy Land: " I am concerned about the growing climate of anti-Semitism that is spreading throughout the world. At the same time, my thoughts go to the population and in particular to the Christian community of Gaza, where the terrible conflict continues to generate death and destruction and to cause a dramatic and ignoble humanitarian situation. I appeal to the warring parties: cease fire, free the hostages and provide aid to the people, who are hungry and who aspire to a future of peace", wrote Francis again.

The message continued: "I would like us to return to hope that peace is possible. From the Holy Sepulchre, Church of the Resurrection, where this year Easter is celebrated on the same day by Catholics and Orthodox, may the light of peace shine upon the entire Holy Land and the entire world. I am close to the suffering of Christians in Palestine and Israel, as well as to all the Israeli people and all the Palestinian people."

(Online Union)