In his Easter Urbi et Orbi address, Pope Francis prays that the light of the Risen Christ shine in the darkness of conflicts around the world, especially those in Syria, Yemen, Israel and Palestine, Libya, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Sudan, South Sudan, eastern Ukraine, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.

Pope Francis turned to the African continent, first calling for the end to bloodshed in Libya, “where defenseless people are once more dying in recent weeks and many families have been forced to abandon their homes”. He urged those involved to choose dialogue over force.

The Pope said parts of the continent are “rife with social tensions, conflicts and at times violent forms of extremism that leave in their wake insecurity, destruction and death.” He specifically mentioned Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Cameroon.

Sudan, he said, is experiencing “a moment of political uncertainty”, voicing his hope that all parties will be heard.

Pope Francis prayed that God sustain the efforts towards peace in South Sudan, following a recent spiritual retreat in the Vatican. “May a new page open in the history of that country, in which all political, social and religious components actively commit themselves to the pursuit of the common good and the reconciliation of the nation.”

Source: Vatican News