His death has occurred just after Holy Week, in which he drastically reduced his appearances, on Monday of the Angel, festive in Italy, and in full jubilee, which makes the Vatican surroundings especially crowded.
In the Pascual message, read by Monsignor Diego Ravelli, a master of the pontifical liturgical ceremonies, Francisco reiterated his call to the high fire in Gaza, asked for the release of Israeli hostages and sending humanitarian aid to the hungry. Reviewing various conflicting realities in the world, he recalled that peace is not possible without a real disarmament.
One last message
Dear brothers and sisters: Happy Easter. I ask the master of ceremonies to read the message.
Not that his last message would be to ask for the end of the world rearme.
No peace is possible without a real disarmament. The demand that each people have to prepare their own defense cannot become a general career of rearme.
In Rome his death has been totally unexpected. In recent days he had increased his public appearances. They were sporadic and barely spoke. But his desire to be with the people was noticed.
One of his last meetings was with a group of prisoners.
The Pope who stood out for his proximity and his desire to be with the last ones, fulfilled his desire until the last moment.
A brief encounter
The appearance yesterday of Pope Francis, full of hope and faith, marked not only the celebration of the resurrection of Christ, but was also a testimony of his strength and pastoral dedication, despite the physical adversities he faced in recent weeks.
Another especially moving moment occurred at the end, when Francisco climbed into the Papamóvil and toured the Plaza de San Pedro, greeting the numerous pilgrims present, happy to have seen him.
The Bishop of Rome emphasized that “from the empty sepulcher of Jerusalem the surprising announcement comes to us: Jesus, the crucified,” is not here, has risen “(LC 24.6). He is not in the grave, he is the living! “He also stressed that” love beat hatred. The light beat the darkness. The truth beat the lie. Forgiveness beat revenge. Evil has not disappeared from our history, it will remain until the end, but it no longer has dominance, it no longer has power over who welcomes the grace of this day. “
With information from Rome Reports in Spanish, Vatican News in Spanish and Efe.