Pope: 'Stop and negotiate'. Hope for 'just and lasting peace'

"Favour gestures that make negotiations possible". After the recitation of the Regina Caeli, Francis addresses the leaders asking them to 'decrease tension'. The thought is for the war in the Middle East, Palestine and Israel, while there are fears of action from Tehran. But also for the "tormented Ukraine". Renewed is the appeal not to give up the "prayer for peace".

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "Stopping for a while to negotiate, to negotiate". This is the appeal that Pope Francis addressed today, Divine Mercy Sunday, to the leaders, from the window of the Apostolic Palace after the recitation of the Regina Caeli. From a sunny St. Peter's Square the request to work to "reduce tension and encourage gestures that make negotiations possible". The Holy Father asked that "the spirit of the Risen Lord enlighten and support" those who work in this direction. While news arrives from the Middle East of the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the southern Gaza Strip, and there is fear of retaliation from Tehran following the raid against the Iranian embassy in Damascus.

Words that follow the great concern of the Bishop of Rome also expressed at the general audience last Wednesday, in which he asked to avoid any "irresponsible attempt" to widen the conflict. As had already happened in the long Urbi et Orbi message read on Easter day, also on Sunday in albis, the Pontiff recalled the urgency of peace. “Our prayer for peace may not fail. A just, lasting peace. In particular for the tormented Ukraine, and for Palestine and Israel", he said in the continuation of today's final comments.

After the recitation of the prayer dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the first thought was turned to the victims of a road accident in South Africa. “I wish to remember the people who died - said Pope Francis -. We pray for them and for their families." At the end of March 45 people lost their lives; all faithful who were going to the city of Moria, the destination of a well-known Easter pilgrimage. Bergoglio then recalled the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, which was yesterday. “We all know how practicing a sport can educate an open, supportive and prejudice-free society,” he said. But for this we need managers and trainers who don't just aim for victory or profit." Explaining that the sport to be promoted is one that encourages and demonstrates "social friendship" and "fraternity".

Commenting on the Gospel of the day (John 20, 19-31), Pope Francis explained that this second Sunday of Easter was dedicated by Saint John Paul II to Divine Mercy. Established in 1992 following the visions experienced by Sister Maria Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938), it is a movable holiday. The Word that today narrates the meeting in the Cenacle between Jesus and the disciples, gathered there for "fear of the Jews", "tells us that by believing in Jesus, Son of God, we can have eternal life", said the Pontiff. From this comment he moved on to the meaning of “having life”, explaining that there are different ways to obtain it. “There are those who reduce existence to a frenetic race to enjoy and possess many things: eating and drinking, having fun, accumulating money and stuff,” he said. However, this would be a road that "does not satisfy the heart": by following it it is not possible to find happiness. Because there is no answer to many aspects "such as, for example, love, the inevitable experiences of pain, limits and death", he added.

The "fullness of life", says the passage from the evangelist John, "is realized in Jesus". Just as the disciples encounter Christ in the "most tragic moment of life", anyone can experience his presence. “It is enough to fix your gaze on the crucified and risen Jesus, meet him in the Sacraments and in prayer, recognize him present, believe in him - continued Bergoglio -, let yourself be touched by his grace and guided by his example, experience the joy of loving like him”. By doing so it is possible to "have life", the one that Jesus testifies to with the "power of the resurrection", with "his victory over sin". Finally, Pope Francis asked some questions to the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square. “Do I get involved in the relationship with Him? And do I let Him push me to love my brothers and sisters and to hope every day?”