What was Pope Francis’s last message to the world?

Pope Francis’ last message was a heartfelt plea to end global conflict and restore dignity through peace.

As the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff in history, his final Easter message now stands as a moving farewell and a lasting call for peace, freedom, and unity across nations.

Delivered on Easter Sunday from the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, where Catholics and Orthodox Christians marked Easter together this year, Pope Francis’ last message was a heartfelt plea to end global conflict and restore dignity through peace.

Pope Francis’s Plea for Ukraine and the World

“There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and respect for the views of others. Nor is peace possible without true disarmament! The requirement that every person provide for their defence must not turn into a race to rearmament. May the risen Christ grant Ukraine, devastated by war, his Easter gift of peace, and encourage all parties involved to pursue efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace,” Pope Francis said in his Easter message, reported Hindustan Times.

Pope Francis’s Pray for Myanmar and Sudan

Extending his prayers to the people of Myanmar, Pope Francis spoke of their ongoing struggles with armed conflict and the devastation caused by a recent earthquake in Sagaing.

“During this time, let us not fail to assist the people of Myanmar, plagued by long years of armed conflict, who, with courage and patience, are dealing with the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Sagaing, which caused the death of thousands and great suffering for the many survivors, including orphans and the elderly. We pray for the victims and their loved ones, and we heartily thank all the generous volunteers carrying out the relief operations. The announcement of a ceasefire by various actors in the country is a sign of hope for the whole of Myanmar,” he said.

He also remembered the people of Africa suffering from unrest stating, “May the risen Christ, our hope, grant peace and consolation to the African peoples who are victims of violence and conflict, especially in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Sudan and South Sudan,”reported Hindustan Times.

Now, as his words echo around the globe, Pope Francis’ final message resonates as a powerful moral testament to his papacy anchored in peace, compassion, and enduring hope for humanity.

Pope Francis died Monday morning at the age of 88, leaving the world in mourning and grief. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, announced the Pope’s demise, stating, “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church.”
The pontiff had battled several health challenges in recent years, including a severe case of double pneumonia and ongoing knee pain, which had significantly impacted his mobility.
Despite these ailments, Pope Francis continued his papal duties until his final days, making a surprise public appearance on Easter Sunday, greeting thousands of pilgrims. His death marks the end of a papacy defined by compassion, reform, and efforts to modernize the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis, leader of 1.4 billion Catholics, was the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church. He became Pope in 2013 after his predecessor, Benedict XVI, resigned.
The Pope had suffered various ailments in his 12-year papacy. The last few months of his papacy had been marked by several hospital visits and concerns about his health.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, was the first pope from the Americas.
Elected pontiff at age 76, he moved quickly to make an impact. Over 12 years, he had reorganized the Vatican’s bureaucracy, written four major teaching documents, made 47 foreign trips to more than 65 countries, and created more than 900 saints.
Overall, Francis was widely seen as trying to open the staid global Church to the modern world.
Among major decisions, he had allowed priests to offer blessings to same-sex couples on a case-by-case basis and has appointed women to serve as leaders of Vatican offices for the first time.

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