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(Image source: BBC)
BY ZACH TOOMBS
Christians around the world celebrated the resurrection of Christ on Sunday. And in
the Vatican, Pope Francis I led his first Easter Mass as Pontiff.
The 76-year-old Church leader — the first in 1,300 years to originate from outside Europe,
made a broad appeal to non-Christians he hopes will come to Christ and called for protection
for the environment and an end to human trafficking. (Via Sky News)
The BBC reports Pope Francis channeled his namesake.
“The pope’s message carries clear echoes of Francis of Assisi, the saint whose name
he has taken as pope — the saint of the poor whose mission it was to rebuild the church
in troubled times.”
In his message, Francis also prayed for peace in several conflicts by name — including
in Syria, Mali and referring to violence between Palestinians and Israelis. He also asked that
cooler heads would prevail on the Korean peninsula. (Via CNN)
NBC reports the pope wore plain white garments as opposed to more elaborate robes worn by
his predecessors on Easter Sunday — and his retelling of Jesus’ death and resurrection
was kept fairly simple.
The pope was elected by a conclave of cardinals almost three weeks ago. He’s the first non-European
pope in the modern era and the first-ever Jesuit to become pontiff.