In brief Easter address, Pope Francis urges Gaza ceasefire

Pope Francis, still recovering from pneumonia, made a brief appearance on Easter Sunday from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

In his message, read aloud by an aide, the 88-year-old pontiff condemned the “deplorable humanitarian situation” in Gaza and urged both sides to end hostilities.

He appealed for the release of captives and for urgent aid to reach Palestinians, describing them as “a starving people that aspires to peace.”

The pope also called out rising anti-Semitism and expressed solidarity with both Palestinians and 'Israelis'.

Despite health concerns, he briefly greeted pilgrims after the Vatican’s Easter mass and held a private meeting with US Vice President JD Vance.