Pope decries wars during pandemic as ‘scandalous’ in Easter address

Pope Francis called for a ‘spirit of global responsibility’ as he encouraged nations to overcome ‘delays in the distribution of vaccines’

Pope Francis delivers his Easter message and blessing from the Vatican on 4 April 2021 (Getty)

Pope Francis has used his traditional Easter Sunday address to denounce as “scandalous” the fact that armed conflicts continue to rage even as the coronavirus pandemic has triggered severe social and economic suffering.

The Pope tempered his “Urbi et Orbi” wishes of joy on the Christian feast day with painful accounts of the many armed conflicts taking place in the world, citing those in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Asia and eastern Europe.

Describing vaccines as an “essential tool” in the pandemic battle, the Pope called for a “spirit of global responsibility” as he encouraged nations to overcome “delays in the distribution of vaccines” and ensure that they are shared with the poorest nations.

“Everyone, especially the most vulnerable among us, requires assistance and has the right to have access to necessary care,” the pontiff said.

He sounded a note of indignation at the start of his address, pointing out that there has been no shortage of war and conflict during the world’s worst health crisis in a century.

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“The pandemic is still spreading, while the social and economic crisis remains severe, especially for the poor. Nevertheless – and this is scandalous – armed conflicts have not ended, and military arsenals are being strengthened,” the Pope said, sounding angry. “That is today’s scandal.”

The Pope prayed that public authorities would see to it that those needing assistance have a “decent standard of living”.

He said: “Sadly, the pandemic has dramatically increased the number of poor and the despair of thousands of people.”

He lamented the plight of people afflicted by war and other conflicts, citing Haiti, one of the world’s poorest countries, which has been wracked by violent protests and political strife, including an alleged coup. The Pope urged Haitians “not to be overwhelmed by difficulties, but to look to the future with confidence and hope”.

Pope Francis offered encouragement to young people in Myanmar who are “committed to supporting democracy and making their voices heard peacefully”. Demonstrators in Myanmar took to the streets holding painted eggs in a reference to Easter. Myanmar’s military has violently sought to quash those opposed to the 1 February coup that ousted a democratically elected government.

Pope Francis thanked Lebanon and Jordan for taking in refugees from the war in Syria, praying that peace finally comes to the “millions [who] are living in inhumane conditions”. He also prayed for an end to the conflicts in Yemen and Libya.

In reference to the suffering of people in Africa, he decried “internal violence and international terrorism, especially in the Sahel and Nigeria”. Other troubled areas he mentioned were Ethiopia’s Tigray province and Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, which has been hit by days of fighting as rebels seek control of a town.

The Pope prayed for the safe return of prisoners of long conflicts in Europe, in eastern Ukraine and in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Earlier in the day, Pope Francis celebrated Easter mass in St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful in the pews barely numbered 200 in keeping with pandemic protocols, compared to the usual thousands.

AP