Easter Sunday News: Pope Francis Delivers Sermon Calling for Peace in Venezuela

Pope Francis has delivered a sermon at the Vatican calling for peace across the earth in conflicts "small or great, old or new." The Pontiff called for reconciliation in Venezuela and other conflicts around the world. Pope Francis delivered his message from the central balcony of the Vatican, giving out his "urbi et orbi" blessing in honor of the Resurrection of Christ. More than 150,000 faithful congregated in St. Peter's Square. The Pontiff called an end to conflicts in Ukraine, Iraq and Israel.

Pope Francis urged peace and agreement in Venezuela from both sides, both Nicolas Maduro and the opposition - Maduro has sought advice and mediation from the Holy See. "May souls begin the journey towards reconciliation and fraternal peace in Venezuela," the first Latin American pope asked. Francis also made reference to the conflic in Syri and prayed for the liberation of those priests who have been kidnapped and all those that suffer persecution for their faith.

"We pray, dear Lord, for Syria, beloved Syria, to all those that are suffering in that country can receive the humanitarian aidthey need and that the authorities in that country resist using armed force to sow deaath," said the Pope. "Help us Lord to defeat the plague of hunger, to pretect the defenceless, especially children, women and the aged, so often the objecto abandon. For all the people on Earth, we pray to you, our Lord, who has defeated dath and given us your life and your peace."