Overview
- The pope delivered his first Easter Urbi et Orbi on Sunday from St. Peter’s, urging those who hold weapons to lay them down and choose dialogue as about 50,000 watched.
- He broke recent practice by not listing specific wars during the blessing, speaking in ten languages to underscore the church’s global reach.
- He announced a prayer vigil for peace at St. Peter’s on April 11 and invited both believers and nonbelievers to join.
- During the Regina Coeli on Monday, he warned that fake news and baseless claims can cloud truth and he urged honest communication in the cause of peace.
- He has restored some Holy Week rites this year and his next major trip was set for June 6–12 in Spain with stops in Madrid, Barcelona, Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, including two large Masses.