During a Holy Week and Easter marked by prayers for peace during a time of war in the Middle East, Pope Leo XIV welcomed a ceasefire in the conflict while inviting the faithful around the world to pray with him as he leads a Prayer Vigil for Peace this Saturday, April 11 in Rome.
The pope had struck a consistent theme of prayers for peace, condemnation of war and return to diplomatic dialogue in his talks on Easter Monday, Easter Sunday, during the Easter Vigil, on Good Friday, and on Holy Thursday last week.
The Cardinal Archbishop of Tehran and the apostolic vicar of Southern Arabia offered Easter reflections as the Middle East deals with the damage of the war, including to the water supply and as the United Nations observed, to children in the region.
Voices for Peace: On the Phone, in Lebanon, in Gaza
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said at this time there is “a need for more voices for peace, more voices against the madness of the arms race.”
Pope Leo led by example as he welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron at the Vatican. Macron later met with Cardinal Parolin discussing “the hope that peaceful coexistence could be restored through dialogue and negotiation,” said the Holy See.
The Vatican confirmed that last Friday Pope Leo spoke by phone with Israeli President Isaac Herzog about “the need to reopen all possible channels of diplomatic dialogue was reiterated, in order to put an end to the serious ongoing conflict, with a view to achieving a just and lasting peace throughout the Middle East.”
Lebanon, the scene of intensifying violence during the conflict, received an assurance of humanitarian aid by the Order of Malta. More than 1 million Lebanese have been displaced so far.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem calls for continued attention to Gaza and the West Bank as “two million people are still suffering.”
New Film on Pope Francis Puts Focus on Argentina, Immigration
A new documentary on Pope Francis, “Francis’ Argentina,” traces the late pope’s life in his home country and will be shown April 10 on the island of Lampedusa, a key landing point for migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea. The pope had visited the island to call attention to the plight of migrants, especially attempting to cross the sea.
The issue remains a cause for concern as more than 70 people died when their vessel capsized off the Libyan coast on Easter Saturday.
The Rome-based Community of Sant’Egidio has expressed deep sorrow following the latest migrant shipwreck in the Mediterranean, and reiterated its call for improved and more humane policy regarding rescue operations and safe passage for vulnerable people.
Easter Mass Returns to Myanmar After 3 Years
The Catholic community in Myanmar celebrated the Easter Vigil Mass for the first time in three years. Clergy and faithful of the Asian nation saw the celebration as a symbol of hope in a country plagued by a protracted civil conflict.
Cuba Pardons Prisoners During Holy Week
The Cuban government granted pardons to 2,010 prisoners ahead of Easter, after already releasing 14 others less than a month ago.
The pardons were a “humanitarian and sovereign gesture” taking place “within the context of the religious celebrations of Holy Week,” according to an announcement broadcast of Cuban television.
‘Big Steps,’ Gradual Change for Women in the Church
A key cardinal involved with the Church’s recent synod spoke of “big steps” concerning the role of women in the Church.
Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, S.J., Archbishop of Luxembourg, pointed to recent appointments of women to senior positions in the Roman Curia by both Pope Leo and Pope Francis and similar top roles for women in many dioceses as evidence of gradual change.
Cardinal Hollerich said that while different pastoral approaches may exist in local churches, particularly in non-ordained ministries, any developments must remain in communion with the universal Church.
He distinguished this from ordained ministry, which he said requires universal consensus to avoid division. He pointed to tensions within the Anglican Communion as an example of how disputes over ministry can lead to fragmentation.
Our Priests’ Home in Rome
Where do North American priests live in Rome? Vatican News takes an inside tour of Casa Santa Maria, which since 1859 has served as a home away from home for some 40 English-speaking priests.
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