Pope John Paul II Calls for Peace in Iraq and the World in Easter Message - 2003-04-20

Pope John Paul II, in his Easter message addressed to Catholics, called for peace in Iraq and the world. When the Pope mentioned peace in Iraq, over fifty thousand people gathered in St. Peter's Square in Vatican cheered joyfully. The Pope stated that international support is urgently needed to help Iraqis rebuild their country and compensate for the damages and injuries sustained. He expressed deep sorrow over the violent clashes between Israelis and Palestinians, which show no signs of abating. He called for an end to hatred and terrorism and urged all Christians to remember the victims of forgotten conflicts in their prayers. He referred to the disastrous situation in Africa and the assault on individual freedoms in the Caucasus, the Far East, and Latin America. A cold wind and rain soaked the crowd attending the Easter worship ceremony in the Vatican. Pope John Paul, who would turn eighty-three next month, celebrated the Eucharist on the steps of St. Peter's Basilica and delivered his special Easter message to the city and the world, known in Latin as 'urbi et orbi.' For hundreds of millions of Catholics and many Christians of other denominations, Easter or the Resurrection is considered one of the most important religious holidays. Orthodox Christians will celebrate Easter on Sunday, April 27, a week later.