VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis addressed worshipers gathered in St Peter’s Square on Sunday during his traditional Easter urbi et orbi (to the city and the world), calling for the end to fighting across the globe.

 The pontiff, who pulled out of attending the Way of the Cross on Friday at the last minute to “save energy” for services on Saturday and Sunday, spoke to 60,000 people on Sunday morning.

 He also presided over the Easter vigil on Saturday evening, after being wheeled into St Peter’s by his personal assistant Sandro Mariotti, however worshipers noted the pontiff sounded tired and out of breath.

 During his urbi et orbi speech, the pope condemned war and “hostilities” that have “grave repercussions on the civil population” and urged countries to “respect […] the principles of international law.”

 Naming various conflicts, the pontiff called for “a general exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine”, weeks after causing controversy by urging Ukraine to find the “courage of the white flag.” He also appealed “once again that access to humanitarian aid be to Gaza” and called “once more for the prompt release of the hostages seized on last 7 October and for an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.”

 The pope went on to name several other regions suffering from conflict including Syria, Myanmar, Sudan, the Congo, the Caucasus and the Western Balkans, urging the worshipers to pray for peace in these lands. He also added that his thoughts “turn today in a special way to Lebanon, which has for some time experienced institutional impasse and a deepening economic and social crisis, now aggravated by the hostilities on its border with Israel.”

 Speaking to the pilgrims gathered in the square, he reiterated that “war is always an absurdity and a defeat” and urged “let us not allow the strengthening winds of war to blow on Europe and the Mediterranean.” The pontiff reminded worshipers that “peace is never made with arms, but with outstretched hands and open hearts.”

 The pontiff also addressed the rising crisis of human trafficking across the globe, appealing to “all who have political responsibilities to spare no efforts in combatting the scourge of human trafficking” to dismantle the “networks of exploitation.”

 Despite giving the traditional urbi et orbi on Sunday, the Messaggero newspaper reported that many in the Vatican are now asking whether the pope will have the strength to carry out duties for the upcoming Jubilee year which stars with the opening of the Holy Door of St Peter’s on Dec. 24. He is expected to attend 50 events in the special holy year.

 Observers also have been reported as wondering if he will be fit for several trips across Italy in the coming months, starting in Venice on April 28. Concerns about his health have also been raised regarding planned foreign trips, including a visit to Papua New Guinea and Indonesia in the second half of August.

 khg