Pope: "Foolish War... Let's Observe a Ceasefire During Easter"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] Pope Francis proposed a ceasefire in the Ukraine war during Holy Week (Passion Week), which leads up to Easter.

On the 10th (local time), the Pope made this statement at the end of the 'Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion' (Palm Sunday) Mass held at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican.

The Pope emphasized, "Let us lay down our arms and enter into an Easter ceasefire," adding, "This is not a ceasefire for rearmament and resumption of fighting, but a ceasefire to achieve peace through genuine negotiations."

In his homily during the Mass, the Pope said, "When we rely on violence, we forget the reason for our existence in the world and commit meaningless acts of cruelty," and "We see this through foolish wars. Here, Christ is once again nailed to the cross."

Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week, commemorating Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, where he was welcomed by crowds before his suffering and crucifixion.

The Palm Sunday Mass was held at St. Peter's Basilica without congregants or with only a few attendees for two years from 2020 to 2021 due to the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). This year, following the easing of regulations by the Italian government on the 1st of this month, the venue was moved back to the square.