VATICAN CITY
KCEN
(WFAA) VATICAN CITY — Tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square for Easter Mass in a cold, pouring rain Sunday to hear Pope Francis call for an end to global violence and the persecution of Christians by extremist groups.
Francis also expressed support for the Iran nuclear deal reached in Lausanne, Switzerland, saying he hoped it would be “a definitive step toward a more secure and fraternal world.”
Ominous gray clouds poured rain on crowds that started to gather hours before the pope’s traditional Easter “Urbi et Orbi” — Latin for “To the city and the world” — blessing.
The unseasonably cool weather kept crowds smaller than at previous major events Francis attended in recent months, but the enthusiasm that follows the pope wherever he goes was evident. …
Even those critical of the Vatican had praise for the pope’s message Sunday. Alvaro Romano, 23, a Rome native who was part of a small student group protesting the Vatican’s handling of sex abuse in the church, said the pope’s message of peace resonated with him.
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