Pope Francis has urged the world to use what he calls "weapons of love" to fight the evil of terrorism in his annual Easter address.
Speaking to a large audience from his balcony at the Vatican, the Pontiff has paid tribute to the victims of attacks worldwide, including last week's deadly bombings in Brussels.
Across Saint Peter's Square, crowds chanted for Pope Francis, ready to hear one of his most important addresses of the year.
Among the tens of thousands in the square was a heavy security presence as Europe remains in a state of angst following a spate of deadly attacks.
The mass comes just days after devastating blasts in Brussels that left 31 dead and 300 wounded, and scores of people have died across Iraq, Turkey and West Africa in similar assaults.
The Pontiff has paid tribute to those victims in his Easter message of hope.
(Translated) "May the Lord Jesus, our peace, Who by his resurrection triumphed over evil and sin, on this Easter feast draw us closer to the victims of terrorism, that blind and brutal form of violence which continues to shed blood in different parts of the world, as was the case with the recent attacks in Belgium, Turkey, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire and Iraq. With the weapons of love, God has defeated selfishness and death."
The former king and queen of Belgium were among the sun-soaked attendees, representing a nation still reeling and in mourning.
Pope Francis has condemned the Brussels attacks and denounced terrorism several times throughout this year's Holy Week ceremonies.
In his latest address, the 79-year-old Argentine has also expressed faith in the power of interreligious dialogue to stop violence and heal growing divisions.
(Translated) "To the power of the risen Lord we entrust the talks now in course, that goodwill and the cooperation of all will bear fruit in peace and initiate the building of a fraternal society respectful of the dignity and rights of each citizen."
Divisions are growing across Europe as it struggles with its biggest humanitarian crisis since World War Two.
Some nationalist groups are blaming terrorism threats across the continent on refugees.
The leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics has been a staunch opponent of those views, though, saying such beliefs will spark further divides worldwide.
Pope Francis has ended his address with a plea for Europe not to forget those fleeing war, hunger and poverty to seek a better future.
(Translated) "All too often, these brothers and sisters of ours meet along the way with death or, in any event, rejection by those who could offer them welcome and assistance."
Share
