Speaking on Twitter, the Prime Minister paid tribute to the Christians of Ukraine, whether they celebrate Easter today or to the Orthodox equivalent later this month, for whom the message of hope of Christ, the triumph of life over death and good. evil will resonate this year, perhaps more than any other. “ He also spoke in Ukrainian, quoting Psalm 31:24, telling the audience, “Be strong and courageous in heart, all of you who trust in the Lord.” He added: “Easter tells us that there is light beyond darkness, that beyond suffering lies redemption.” The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and Pope Francis also referred to the conflict in Ukraine on Sunday. Giving his Easter speech from Canterbury Cathedral, Welby said: “The Ukrainians woke up to the end of the world as they knew it. “Now they have awakened from the noises of war and the heartbreaking reality of terror. They wake up from the deadly fear “. He added: “Let this be the moment for Russia’s truce, its withdrawal and its commitment to talks. This is the time to restore peace, not what Bismarck called blood and iron. Let Christ prevail. “Let the darkness of war be banished.” The pope addressed about 100,000 people at the Vatican and spoke of his anguish over the conflict. He said: “Our eyes are also skeptical about this Easter of war. We have seen too much blood, too much violence. Our hearts are also filled with fear and anxiety, as so many of our brothers and sisters had to be locked away to be safe from the bombings. “May there be peace for war-torn Ukraine, which is suffering so much from the violence and devastation of the brutal and irrational war it has been dragged into.” The pope spoke in front of a crowd on Easter Sunday for the first time since the pandemic began, and applause erupted from the crowd in St. Peter’s Square when he referred to Ukraine. He denounced “muscle flexion while people are suffering” and called on the world to “please, please, let’s not get used to war”. “Let us all commit ourselves to begging for peace, from our balconies and in our streets,” he said. “May the leaders of the nations hear the call of the people for peace.” Labor leader Keir Starmer also released a video, telling Christians around the world: “I know you draw inspiration from the life of Jesus and the story of Easter, which is a message of overcoming adversity and hope. Of the light that overcomes the darkness “.
