ST PETER’S BASILICA: The 88-year-old Pope Francis (who did not preside over the Vatican’s Mass for Easter) appeared briefly here and called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza on Easter Sunday (20th April, 2025).
Terming the state-of-affairs in the Middle East as dramatic and deplorable, the pontiff stated: “I express my closeness to the sufferings […] of all the Israeli people and the Palestinian people…I appeal to the warring parties: call a ceasefire, release the hostages and come to the aid of a starving people that aspires to a future of peace.” According to the New Testament Jesus Christ was resurrected on this day (2010 years ago) in Jerusalem.
Hence Christians observe Easter (aka Pascha or Resurrection Sunday) with same enthusiasm as they celebrate Christmas (the birthday of Jesus Christ). In the Churches all over Pakistan special services were arranged. This scribe visited a number of bakeries in Karachi where female members of the Christian community were busy purchasing goodies like hot-cross-bun etc to commemorate the day befittingly with their friends at homes.
Putin has declared an Easter Truce in war with Ukraine on 19th April: “Today from 18:00 (15:00 GMT) to midnight Sunday (21:00 GMT Sunday), the Russian side announces an Easter truce.” The Russian Defence Ministry took to the Telegram to state: “The ceasefire regime is being introduced for humanitarian purposes and will be observed by the Russian Joint Group of Troops [Forces], provided that it is mutually observed by the Kyiv regime.”
Newspakistan.tv
