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Pope Francis Calls for Ceasefire in Gaza and Release of Israeli Captives on Easter Sunday

Published: 31 March 2024 at 14:24

Religion

Pope Francis urged for immediate ceasefire in Gaza, release of Israeli captives, and access to humanitarian aid in his Easter Sunday address. He highlighted the suffering of children in war zones, calling war an absurdity. Despite recent health concerns, he presided over mass and delivered blessings. Easter commemorates Jesus rising from the dead. Francis interacted with crowds in his popemobile after the service.

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Pope Francis Leads Easter Celebrations and Calls for Cease-Fire in Gaza


Pope Francis led 30,000 people in Easter celebrations at St Peter's Square, urging for peace with open hearts and hands. He made a plea for a cease-fire in Gaza and a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine, highlighting the importance of peace. Despite battling respiratory issues, the Pope appeared in good form during the Mass. The Vatican reported 30,000 attendees at the service, with additional crowds outside the venue, emphasizing the significance of Easter Mass in the liturgical calendar.

Pope Francis Overcomes Health Concerns to Lead Easter Mass


Pope Francis, aged 87 and battling winter respiratory problems, presided over Easter Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square, following the 212-hour nighttime Easter Vigil. He has avoided long speeches to conserve his health, cancelling some events, but successfully led the Mass and baptised eight new Catholics. The Vatican cited health concerns for his absences at recent events. Despite concerns, Francis delivered a 10-minute homily during the Easter Vigil service. No major foreign trips are scheduled in the coming months for his recovery.

Pope Francis Urges Priests to Avoid Hypocrisy and Show Mercy


Pope Francis delivered a set of orders to Rome-based priests, emphasizing the importance of avoiding clerical hypocrisy and showing mercy to the faithful. He presided over a Holy Thursday Mass, followed by washing inmates' feet in a symbol of humility. Francis warned against judging others and urged repentance for personal sins. The upcoming days include leading various Easter rituals, testing his stamina. Notably, a major papal liturgy coincided with renovations at St Peter's Basilica. The busy schedule includes events like the Way of the Cross procession, Easter Vigil, and addresses on global conflicts.

Archbishop of Canterbury to Address Church's Non-Partisan Stance in Easter Sermon


The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, is set to emphasize the church's non-partisan nature in his Easter sermon, urging 'love-in-action' to support those affected by conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, and other areas. Despite facing criticism for condemning the UK government's Rwanda deportation scheme, Welby asserts the church's commitment to action driven by prayer and wisdom. The Vatican's Pope Francis, meanwhile, presided over Easter services, including baptisms, after health concerns led to him skipping the Good Friday procession.

Pope Francis Skips Homily During Palm Sunday Mass


Pope Francis skipped delivering his homily during the Palm Sunday Mass service at the Vatican, marking the beginning of Holy Week, due to recent health issues. Despite skipping the homily, he presided over the service, read prayers, and gave blessings. He also prayed for the people of Ukraine and condemned the Moscow concert hall shooting. The pope, who has been using a wheelchair for months, greeted cardinals individually and interacted with the crowd in St Peter's Square. This comes as part of his intense Holy Week schedule including visits to a prison and participation in Good Friday services.

Pope Francis skips Good Friday procession in Rome to preserve his health for Easter events


Pope Francis, 87, did not participate in the Good Friday Way of the Cross procession at the Colosseum in Rome to conserve his health for Easter, citing the need to prepare for the Easter vigil and Mass. He has been battling respiratory issues and recently missed events, including having parts of his lung and large intestine removed. His chair was set up at the event, but he followed the procession from his home. Despite concerns about his health, the Vatican confirmed he was in good form earlier during a liturgy at St Peter's Basilica.

Political Leaders in UK Send Easter Messages of Hope and Renewal


Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister and Opposition leader in the UK, respectively, released Easter messages acknowledging the work of churches and Christian communities. Sunak praised the Christian values of compassion and charity, while Starmer highlighted renewal and new beginnings, especially in light of the upcoming general election. King Charles made a public appearance at the Easter Sunday service at Windsor Castle amidst his battle with cancer. The leaders' messages emphasized gratitude towards the Christian community in the UK and worldwide, offering wishes for a happy and peaceful Easter.

Pope Francis Skips Good Friday Procession at Rome's Colosseum for Health Reasons


Pope Francis decided to skip the traditional Good Friday procession at Rome's Colosseum to protect his health, following the event from his home at the Vatican due to concerns about his frail condition. This decision was made last-minute to conserve his health for upcoming liturgical events. Francis has been battling flu, bronchitis, or a cold all winter, occasionally needing speeches read aloud and skipping his Palm Sunday homily. This choice to stay home is reminiscent of St John Paul II's last Good Friday before his passing in 2005.

Pope Francis Washes and Kisses Feet of 12 Women Inmates at Rome Prison


Pope Francis, aged 87 and facing mobility issues, washed and kissed the feet of 12 women inmates at Rebibbia prison in Rome during the Holy Thursday ritual. This act of service and humility, part of the Holy Week ceremonies, emphasizes Jesus' teachings of serving others. Francis has been including women and people of other faiths in this ritual since becoming pope in 2013. Despite recent health problems, Francis was energized during the visit, receiving gifts and regifting, and is set for a busy schedule leading up to Easter Sunday.

Good Friday procession in Jerusalem takes place with thinner crowds amid Israel-Hamas war


Hundreds of Christians, mostly local, participated in the traditional Good Friday procession in Jerusalem's Old City, with thinner crowds due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The procession, led by Palestinian Arab scouts and joined by some foreigners and tourists, passed along the Way of the Cross, rerouted by Israeli police barricades. The atmosphere was somber as Palestinian Christians commemorated Jesus Christ's crucifixion, expressing sadness over the war situation and the thousands of Palestinians killed in Israel's offensive in Gaza.

Pope Francis Appears in Better Health at Vatican Audience


Pope Francis, aged 87, walked into the Vatican audience hall with a cane for his weekly general audience, speaking clearly and renewing appeals for peace. He highlighted the friendship between two fathers, one Palestinian and the other Israeli, both having lost daughters in the Middle East conflict. Their story was featured in the novel 'Apeirogon' by Colum McCann. The Pope met with the fathers privately before the audience, emphasizing their witness amid war and loss.

List of pastoral visits of Pope Francis (Wikipedia)


This is a list of pastoral visits of Pope Francis. His visit to the Philippines in January 2015 included the largest papal event in history with around 6–7 million attendees in his final Mass at Manila, surpassing the then-largest papal event at World Youth Day 1995 in the same venue twenty years earlier.

Theology of Pope Francis (Wikipedia)


Elected on 13 March 2013, Francis is the first member of the Society of Jesus to be appointed pope and the first non-European to hold the office since the 8th century. He described his papal name as pointing to what he wants to emulate in Saint Francis of Assisi: to have a poor church, for the poor, always going out to the margins, and to show concern for the natural environment. His papal motto Miserando atque eligendo ("by having mercy and by choosing") contains a central theme of his papacy, God's mercy, which has led to conflict with orthodox Catholics on issues such as reception of Communion by remarried Catholics. In addressing real life situations he often appeals directly to his experience, in continuity with his synodal way, which showed a renewed emphasis on listening and dialogue. He has placed greater emphasis on church synods and on widespread consultation and dialogue, uplifting the roles of laypersons and of women in the Catholic church and criticizing clericalism.Francis' concern for the poor is noted in his critiques of capitalism, his quite visible support of refugees and migrants, and his outreach to liberationist, anarchist, communist, socialist and liberal movements in Latin America that were under a cloud during the papacy of John Paul II. Francis has stated that he considers himself to be conservative.His apostolic exhortation Evangelii gaudium (Joy of the Gospel), released eight months after his election, has been described as programmatic, and "a core document of this pontificate", in his own words "pointing out new paths for the Church's journey for years to come". He has become known also for his "sharp and unscripted remarks".

Pope Francis calls for Ukraine to have courage and negotiate end to war with Russia


Pope Francis, in an interview with Swiss broadcaster RSI, urged Ukraine to negotiate an end to the war with Russia following Moscow's invasion, which has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, while desiring peace, is firm on not surrendering any territory. The Pope emphasized the importance of having the courage to negotiate and engage in talks with the assistance of international powers.

Pope Francis (Wikipedia)


Pope Francis (Latin: Franciscus; Italian: Francesco; Spanish: Francisco; born Jorge Mario Bergoglio; 17 December 1936) is the head of the Catholic Church, the bishop of Rome and sovereign of the Vatican City State. He is the first pope to be a member of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), the first one from the Americas, the first one from the Southern Hemisphere, and the first one born or raised outside Europe since the 8th-century papacy of the Syrian Pope Gregory III.Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Bergoglio worked for a time as a bouncer and a janitor as a young man before training to be a chemist and working as a technician in a food science laboratory. After recovering from a severe illness of pneumonia and cysts, he was inspired to join the Jesuits in 1958. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1969, and from 1973 to 1979 was the Jesuit provincial superior in Argentina. He became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and was created a cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II. He led the Argentine Church during the December 2001 riots in Argentina. The administrations of Néstor Kirchner and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner considered him to be a political rival.Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on 28 February 2013, a papal conclave elected Bergoglio as his successor on 13 March. He chose Francis as his papal name in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. Throughout his public life, Francis has been noted for his humility, emphasis on God's mercy, international visibility as pope, concern for the poor, and commitment to interreligious dialogue. He is credited with having a less formal approach to the papacy than his predecessors, for instance choosing to reside in the Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse rather than in the papal apartments of the Apostolic Palace used by previous popes.Francis has made women full members of dicasteries in the Roman Curia. He maintains that the Catholic Church should be more sympathetic toward members of the LGBT community and has permitted the blessings of same-sex couples. Francis is a critic of unbridled capitalism, consumerism, and overdevelopment; he has made action on climate change a leading focus of his papacy. Widely interpreted as denouncing the death penalty as intrinsically evil, he has termed it "an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person", "inadmissible", and committed the Church to its abolition, saying that there can be "no going back from this position".In international diplomacy, Francis has criticized the rise of right-wing populism, called for the decriminalization of homosexuality, helped to restore full diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba, negotiated a deal with China to define how much influence the Communist Party has in appointing Chinese bishops, and has supported the cause of refugees during the European and Central American migrant crises, calling on the Western World to significantly increase immigration levels. In 2022, he apologized for the Church's role in the "cultural genocide" of the Canadian indigenous peoples. On 4 October 2023, Francis convened the beginnings of the Synod on Synodality, described as the culmination of his papacy and the most important event in the Catholic Church since the Second Vatican Council.

Pope Francis Reaffirms No Plans for Resignation in New Memoir


Pope Francis, 87, confirms in his autobiography that he has no intention of resigning due to good health, despite battling minor health issues, such as bronchitis and flu. He mentions the existence of a resignation letter in case of serious impediment but considers it a distant possibility. In the memoir, he addresses criticism, defends his decision to bless same-sex couples, supports civil unions over gay marriage, and emphasizes the church's duty to welcome all individuals, including sinners. He also denounces abortion and surrogate parenting and clarifies his stance on being labeled as communist or Marxist.

Germany's Easter marchers demand end to fighting in Ukraine and Gaza


People across Germany on Saturday joined the country's traditional Easter marches that emerged from last century's peace movement, with marchers this year calling for an end to fighting in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip. The marches against nuclear weapons and in favour of peace have been held over Easter for more than 60 years. The main day of action is Saturday, with around 70 events scheduled to take place across the country. In Berlin, some 3,500 people joined this year's Easter March, according to police estimates. More than 1,000 marched for peace in the northern city of Bremen, while several hundred joined demonstrations in Cologne, Duisburg, Saarbrucken, Leipzig and Kassel.

King Charles attends Easter church service amidst cancer treatment


King Charles, accompanied by Queen Camilla, attended the traditional Easter Sunday church service at Windsor Castle amidst his cancer treatment, making one of his few public appearances since the diagnosis. He continues with state business, including meetings with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, while receiving outpatient treatment. The monarch has emphasized the importance of friendship during a time of need, reflecting on the nation's response to his health challenges and daughter-in-law Kate's cancer treatment. The Easter service did not include Prince William's family or Prince Harry's family, who are settled in the US.

King Charles III to Lead Royal Family at Easter Sunday Church Service Amid Health Challenges


King Charles III will make a significant appearance at the Easter Sunday church service alongside Queen Camilla, amidst his battle with cancer. The traditional service at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle will have fewer attendees than usual, with Prince William and Kate Middleton and their children opting for privacy following Kate's cancer diagnosis. The family is expected to gather for a private Easter celebration, including a church service and a traditional family lunch of roast lamb at Windsor Castle.

Easter Sunday: The Traditions and Symbolism of Easter Sunrise Services


Many Christians around the world celebrate Easter Sunday with sunrise services to mark the resurrection of Jesus. The date of Easter varies each year between March 22 and April 25 based on a calendar calculation involving the moon. The sunrise service tradition holds biblical symbolism, as it commemorates the women followers of Jesus who discovered the empty tomb at dawn, signifying belief in the resurrection.

Holy Week on Procida Island in Italy


The Holy Week commemorations on Procida Island in Italy feature religious processions reenacting events from Holy Thursday and Good Friday, with residents actively participating or spectating. The events include constructing Carnival-like floats depicting biblical scenes, accompanied by local musicians playing a funeral dirge. This year's processions included floats referencing current events, such as one dedicated to the apocalypse featuring an Israeli and Palestinian flag. The island's traditions highlight public displays of popular piety in Italy, attracting attention for its unique and fervent celebrations.

Easter (Wikipedia)


Easter, also called Pascha (Aramaic, Greek, Latin) or Resurrection Sunday, is a Christian festival and cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day of his burial following his crucifixion by the Romans at Calvary c. 30 AD. It is the culmination of the Passion of Jesus Christ, preceded by Lent (or Great Lent), a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance.Easter-observing Christians commonly refer to the week before Easter as Holy Week, which in Western Christianity begins on Palm Sunday (marking the entrance of Jesus in Jerusalem), includes Spy Wednesday (on which the betrayal of Jesus is mourned), and contains the days of the Easter Triduum including Maundy Thursday, commemorating the Maundy and Last Supper, as well as Good Friday, commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus. In Eastern Christianity, the same days and events are commemorated with the names of days all starting with "Holy" or "Holy and Great"; and Easter itself might be called "Great and Holy Pascha", "Easter Sunday", "Pascha" or "Sunday of Pascha". In Western Christianity, Eastertide, or the Easter Season, begins on Easter Sunday and lasts seven weeks, ending with the coming of the 50th day, Pentecost Sunday. In Eastern Christianity, the Paschal season ends with Pentecost as well, but the leave-taking of the Great Feast of Pascha is on the 39th day, the day before the Feast of the Ascension.Easter and its related holidays are moveable feasts, not falling on a fixed date; its date is computed based on a lunisolar calendar (solar year plus Moon phase) similar to the Hebrew calendar. The First Council of Nicaea (325) established only two rules, namely independence from the Hebrew calendar and worldwide uniformity. No details for the computation were specified; these were worked out in practice, a process that took centuries and generated a number of controversies. It has come to be the first Sunday after the ecclesiastical full moon that occurs on or soonest after 21 March. Even if calculated on the basis of the Gregorian calendar, the date of that full moon sometimes differs from that of the astronomical first full moon after the March equinox.The English term is derived from the Saxon spring festival Ēostre; Easter is linked to the Jewish Passover by its name (Hebrew: פֶּסַח pesach, Aramaic: פָּסחָא pascha are the basis of the term Pascha), by its origin (according to the synoptic Gospels, both the crucifixion and the resurrection took place during the week of Passover) and by much of its symbolism, as well as by its position in the calendar. In most European languages, both the Christian Easter and the Jewish Passover are called by the same name; and in the older English versions of the Bible, as well, the term Easter was used to translate Passover.Easter traditions vary across the Christian world, and include sunrise services or late-night vigils, exclamations and exchanges of Paschal greetings, flowering the cross, the wearing of Easter bonnets by women, clipping the church, and the decoration and the communal breaking of Easter eggs (a symbol of the empty tomb). The Easter lily, a symbol of the resurrection in Western Christianity, traditionally decorates the chancel area of churches on this day and for the rest of Eastertide. Additional customs that have become associated with Easter and are observed by both Christians and some non-Christians include Easter parades, communal dancing (Eastern Europe), the Easter Bunny and egg hunting. There are also traditional Easter foods that vary by region and culture.

Visit by Pope Francis to Canada (Wikipedia)


Pope Francis visited Canada from July 24 to 29, 2022, with stops in the provinces of Alberta and Quebec and the territory of Nunavut. The trip mainly focused on apologizing for the Catholic Church's role in the Canadian Indian residential school system and on reconciliation with the country's Indigenous peoples. It was the first papal visit to Canada since 2002, when Pope John Paul II visited Toronto for World Youth Day.

Moscow and NATO Respond to Pope's Call for End to War in Ukraine


The Kremlin considers Pope Francis' call for talks to end the war in Ukraine as understandable, while NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg emphasizes that now is not the time for Ukraine to surrender as it would be a tragedy. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismisses the Pope's call for talks with Russia as virtual mediation. Ukraine has summoned the Vatican's envoy after the Pope suggested raising the white flag against Russia, causing anger in Kyiv. The US faces deadlock in providing military aid to Ukraine with concerns about potential aid reduction depending on the outcome of the upcoming presidential election.

Biden Administration Faces Criticism for Choosing to Recognize Transgender Day of Visibility over Easter Sunday


The Biden administration issued a proclamation for Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, 2024, which coincided with Easter Sunday, leading to criticism for prioritizing one over the other. The administration's statement highlighted support for transgender Americans and commitment to equality. This decision sparked debate and controversy over the choice to publicly recognize Transgender Day of Visibility over Easter, a significant holiday for billions of Christians worldwide, including over a hundred million Americans.

Pope Francis Defrocks Belgian Bishop for Sexual Abuse


Pope Francis has defrocked Roger Vangheluwe, an 87-year-old Belgian bishop who admitted to sexually abusing his nephews, after serious new elements in the case emerged. The Vatican's decision to laicize Vangheluwe, a symbol of Catholic Church hypocrisy in handling abuse cases, came ahead of the pope's planned visit to Belgium. The Belgian bishops had long called for Vangheluwe's expulsion from the priesthood, and the scandal has sparked national outrage and prompted discussions on abuse within the church in Belgium.

Pope Francis and LGBT topics (Wikipedia)


Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church since 2013, has marked a significantly more accommodative tone on LGBT topics than his predecessors. In July 2013, his televised "Who am I to judge?" statement was widely reported in the international press, becoming one of his most famous statements on LGBT people. In other public statements, Francis has emphasised the need to accept, welcome, and accompany LGBT people, including LGBT children, and has denounced laws criminalising homosexuality. While he has reiterated traditional Catholic teaching that marriage is between a man and a woman, he has supported same-sex civil unions as legal protections for same-sex couples. Under his pontificate, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has confirmed that transgender people can be baptised, and allowed the blessing of same-sex couples in the document Fiducia supplicans. Francis has privately met many LGBT people and activists. In 2013, Francis was named as Person of the Year by The Advocate, an American LGBT magazine.Relative to LGB topics, Francis has been less accomodative on transgender topics, describing gender theory and children's education on gender-affirming surgery as "ideological colonisation". In September 2015, Francis came under media scrutiny for meeting Kim Davis, a county clerk who was imprisoned for refusing to issue marriage licences for same-sex couples, and in August 2018, Francis was criticised for suggesting that gay children seek psychiatric treatment. Prior to his election as Pope Francis, as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio led public opposition to the parliamentary bill on legalising same-sex marriage in Argentina, which was approved by the Argentine Senate on 15 July 2010. A letter he wrote in that campaign was criticised for using "medieval" and "obscurantist" language, and was later admitted by an episcopal source to be a strategic error that contributed to the bill's success.

President Biden declares Easter Sunday to be Transgender Day of Visibility, sparking outrage and banning religious imagery at Easter event


President Biden declared Easter Sunday as Transgender Day of Visibility, doubling backlash by banning religious imagery at the White House Easter Egg Roll event, amid criticism of an 'attack on Christianity.' Former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy criticized the move, while Biden emphasized support for transgender Americans and condemned hateful laws and violence against them. The ban on religious submissions for the event drew controversy, with critics feeling the religious foundation of Easter should be respected.

An AP photographer snags an unexpected image of the head of the Catholic Church


FILE - Pope Francis tries to catch his cap as wind blew it away while arriving for his weekly general audience in the St. Peters Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File) VATICAN CITY (AP) Having covered the Vatican for 27 years thats three popes Associated Press photographer Andrew Medichini has mastered snapping images of papal pomp. To capture this photo, Medichini knew exactly where to position himself based on the wind for a potential candid shot of Pope Francis. Here is what he said about making this extraordinary photo: After several years following popes in and out of the Vatican, you get to know where to be and how to anticipate the right frame according to the news or the conditions of the day windy, sunny, rainy, etc.

Francis of Assisi (Wikipedia)


Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone (c. 1181 – 3 October 1226), known as Francis of Assisi, was an Italian mystic, poet and Catholic friar who founded the religious order of the Franciscans. He was inspired to lead a Christian life of poverty as a beggar and itinerant preacher. One of the most venerated figures in Christianity, Francis was canonized by Pope Gregory IX on 16 July 1228. He is commonly portrayed wearing a brown habit with a rope tied around his waist, featuring three knots that symbolize the three Franciscan vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.In 1219, he went to Egypt in an attempt to convert the sultan al-Kamil and put an end to the conflict of the Fifth Crusade. In 1223, he arranged for the first live nativity scene as part of the annual Christmas celebration in Greccio. According to Christian tradition, in 1224 Francis received the stigmata during the apparition of a Seraphic angel in a religious ecstasy.He founded the men's Order of Friars Minor, the women's Order of St. Clare, the Third Order of St. Francis and the Custody of the Holy Land. Once his community was authorized by Pope Innocent III, he withdrew increasingly from external affairs.Francis is associated with patronage of animals and the environment. It became customary for churches to hold ceremonies blessing animals on his feast day of the fourth of October. He is known for devotion to the Eucharist. Along with Catherine of Siena, he was designated patron saint of Italy. He is also the namesake of the American city of San Francisco.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to Undergo Surgery for Hernia


Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will undergo surgery for a hernia after it was discovered during a routine checkup. Justice Minister Yariv Levin will temporarily fill his role during the procedure. The surgery comes amidst thousands of Israelis rallying for Netanyahu to resign. Additionally, two Palestinians were killed and 15 injured in an Israeli airstrike on a tent camp in central Gaza. The strike targeted a Hamas command center, and Israel argues that hospitals in Gaza are used by militants. The Archbishop of Canterbury called for action to help those affected by the conflict, including the children of Gaza.

List of dates for Easter (Wikipedia)


This is a list of dates for Easter. The Easter dates also affect when Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, the Feast of the Ascension and Pentecost occur in a given year. Easter may occur on different dates in the Gregorian Calendar (Western) and the Julian Calendar (Orthodox or Eastern). The accompanying table provides both sets of dates, for recent and forthcoming years—see the computus article for more details on the calculation.

List of saints canonized by Pope Francis (Wikipedia)


This article contains a list of the 912 saintscanonizedby Pope Francis (2013–) during his pontificate, which includes the 813 Martyrs of Otranto as a group, 7 whom were equipollently canonized and 4 whom were canonized in other countries.

Israeli airstrike hits tent camp at Gaza hospital, killing two


Israeli forces bombed a tent camp inside the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital compound in central Gaza, killing two Palestinians in what seemed to be a targeted strike. Palestinians were seen carrying wounded individuals after the attack, with an aircraft later airdropping humanitarian aid over northern Gaza. In response, protests against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and calls for the release of hostages held by Hamas occurred in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Prince Andrew enjoys leisurely horse ride as speculation mounts over Easter Sunday church service attendance - Royal Family revelations


Prince Andrew was seen riding a horse at Windsor Castle ahead of the Easter Sunday service, with uncertainty surrounding his attendance due to the airing of Netflix's drama depicting his infamous interview. King Charles recorded a special message as Queen Camilla stood in at the Maundy Service. The Wales family will not join the royals for Easter Sunday, opting to stay at Anmer Hall. Anmer Hall, their Norfolk retreat, was a wedding gift from the Queen, underwent renovations, and is a cherished family escape.

Easter Sunday (film) (Wikipedia)


Easter Sunday is a 2022 American comedy film starring Jo Koy as a struggling actor, comedian, and single father who attends a gathering of his loud and dysfunctional Filipino American family on Easter Sunday. The film is directed by Jay Chandrasekhar and written by Ken Cheng and Kate Angelo, from a story by Cheng. In addition to Koy, the film stars Tia Carrere, Brandon Wardell, Eugene Cordero, Asif Ali, Lydia Gaston, Jimmy O. Yang, and Lou Diamond Phillips. Universal Pictures theatrically released the film on August 5, 2022. It received mixed reviews from critics.

Major Retailers' Status on Easter Sunday in the US


On Easter Sunday, Mar. 31, 2024, Target and all stores under the TJX company will be closed, while Walmart will remain open with discounted Easter meal options. Home Depot and the Swedish home goods store will also be open, but luxury clothing and department stores like Nordstrom and Macy's will be closed. Pet superstores will be open for all animal needs, while select locations of the apparel company will trade. Kroger stores are set to operate as usual. Various fast-food chains such as Burger King and Subway will have varying hours on Easter.

A convoy carrying 400 tonnes of food and supplies leaves Cyprus for Gaza as the enclave faces famine amidst Israel's ongoing war


A three-ship convoy has departed from Cyprus to the Gaza Strip carrying nearly 400 tonnes of food and supplies to address the imminent famine in the besieged enclave amidst Israel's ongoing war. The aid includes ready-to-eat items, such as rice, pasta, flour, legumes, canned vegetables, proteins, and dates, traditionally eaten during Ramadan. The mission, supported by the United Arab Emirates and Cyprus, aims to assist Gazans facing hunger and displacement, with the US planning to build a floating pier for aid reception.

Prince Andrew is seen smiling with Fergie at St George's Chapel


Prince Andrew beamed today as he walked in front and centre alongside Princess Anne and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson to attend the Easter Sunday Service at Windsor. The Duke of York put on a brave face at St George's Chapel just days before the release of the Netflix film Scoop that will delve into the royal's car-crash Newsnight interview regarding his relationship to paedophile Jeffery Epstein. Shortly after their arrival, King Charles, who is currently undergoing treatment for cancer , arrived by car alongside his wife Queen Camilla, marking his most significant public appearance since his diagnosis. The monarch, 75, appeared in a good mood, greeting well-wishers in a bid to allay the public's fears following a turbulent few weeks that saw the Princess of Wales , 42, also diagnosed with cancer. In recent weeks, the realities of having a slimmed down monarchy have been laid bare.

Pope Francis Calls for Ceasefire in Gaza and Release of Israeli Captives on Easter Sunday Pope Francis Calls for Ceasefire in Gaza and Release of Israeli Captives on Easter Sunday Pope Francis Calls for Ceasefire in Gaza and Release of Israeli Captives on Easter Sunday Pope Francis Calls for Ceasefire in Gaza and Release of Israeli Captives on Easter Sunday

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Pope’s Easter speech renews calls for peace in Gaza, Ukraine

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Pope issues Easter Sunday call for immediate ceasefire in Gaza

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Pope Francis calls for ceasefire in Gaza and Ukraine in Easter message

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Pope renews call for Gaza ceasefire, release of captives in Easter address

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PANORA

Pope Francis Leads Easter Celebrations and Calls for Cease-Fire in Gaza

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Pope Francis Overcomes Health Concerns to Lead Easter Mass

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Pope Francis Urges Priests to Avoid Hypocrisy and Show Mercy

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Archbishop of Canterbury to Address Church's Non-Partisan Stance in Easter Sermon

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Pope Francis Skips Homily During Palm Sunday Mass

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Pope Francis skips Good Friday procession in Rome to preserve his health for Easter events

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Political Leaders in UK Send Easter Messages of Hope and Renewal

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Pope Francis Skips Good Friday Procession at Rome's Colosseum for Health Reasons

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Pope Francis Washes and Kisses Feet of 12 Women Inmates at Rome Prison

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Good Friday procession in Jerusalem takes place with thinner crowds amid Israel-Hamas war

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Pope Francis Appears in Better Health at Vatican Audience

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List of pastoral visits of Pope Francis

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Theology of Pope Francis

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PANORA

Pope Francis calls for Ukraine to have courage and negotiate end to war with Russia

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Pope Francis

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Pope Francis Reaffirms No Plans for Resignation in New Memoir

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Germany's Easter marchers demand end to fighting in Ukraine and Gaza

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King Charles attends Easter church service amidst cancer treatment

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King Charles III to Lead Royal Family at Easter Sunday Church Service Amid Health Challenges

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Easter Sunday: The Traditions and Symbolism of Easter Sunrise Services

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Holy Week on Procida Island in Italy

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Easter

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Visit by Pope Francis to Canada

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Moscow and NATO Respond to Pope's Call for End to War in Ukraine

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Biden Administration Faces Criticism for Choosing to Recognize Transgender Day of Visibility over Easter Sunday

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Pope Francis Defrocks Belgian Bishop for Sexual Abuse

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Wikipedia

Pope Francis and LGBT topics

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PANORA

President Biden declares Easter Sunday to be Transgender Day of Visibility, sparking outrage and banning religious imagery at Easter event

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An AP photographer snags an unexpected image of the head of the Catholic Church

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Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to Undergo Surgery for Hernia

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Israeli airstrike hits tent camp at Gaza hospital, killing two

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Prince Andrew enjoys leisurely horse ride as speculation mounts over Easter Sunday church service attendance - Royal Family revelations

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Wikipedia

Easter Sunday (film)

Wikipedia

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Major Retailers' Status on Easter Sunday in the US

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A convoy carrying 400 tonnes of food and supplies leaves Cyprus for Gaza as the enclave faces famine amidst Israel's ongoing war

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Prince Andrew is seen smiling with Fergie at St George's Chapel

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