Pope Francis has appealed for an end to what he's called absurd violence in hotspots around the world, saying the international community must not stand by in the face of the immense humanitarian tragedy in Syria and Iraq.
In his traditional Easter message, the 78-year-old Pontiff said he was praying for those killed in armed conflict, including the students massacred by Somali gunmen at a university in Kenya.
Tens of thousands of pilgrims huddled under a sea of umbrellas in a rain-soaked St Peter's Square to hear the Pope deliver his "Urbi et Orbi" (To the City and World) blessing, broadcast live to dozens of countries.
The head of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics prayed for peace, above all, for Syria and Iraq, that the roar of arms may cease.
Share
