Archbishop calls for peace in a world marked by war

Archbishop Charles Scicluna renewed a call for peace during the Easter Sunday Mass, at a time when the world is engaged in violence and war. 

Addressing the congregation at St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta, Scicluna recited the Easter sequence and highlighted how Christ "truly rose from the dead", describing this not only as the foundation of Christian faith, but also what shapes moral choices and humanity's destiny. 

"We know that Christ rose truly from the dead(...) O victorious king, have mercy on us," he said.

"We celebrate this faith, the foundation of our lives, our decisions, and the destiny of each one of us."

The Archbishop's Easter message comes at a time when the world is overcome by "pride, arrogance, violence and war", and highlighted how Christ's Easter greeting "Peace be with you" is so relevant. 

"Peace be with you, peace be in our hearts, among ourselves and in the world," he concluded. 

The Archbishop's message chimed with that of Pope Leo XIV, who on Sunday urged "those who have the power to unleash wars" to "choose peace" in his first Easter blessing as pontiff with the Middle East conflict raging.

"We are growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it, and becoming indifferent. Indifferent to the deaths of thousands of people," the Pope told a crowd in St Peter's Square.

L-Irxoxt brings in crowds

In the spirit of good tradition, crowds cheered as processions with the statue of the Risen Lord were held across Malta on Sunday morning. 

Despite the bad weather that cancelled the Good Friday processions earlier this week, Sunday brought fine and clear skies, which attracted large crowds to the celebrations.

In Senglea, large crowds lined the streets, cheering on as statue bearers supported by volunteers broke into the traditional run with the statue of the Risen Christ, as brass bands accompanied the festivities. 

Children had their gifts and easter eggs blessed by the archpriest. 

All smiles, as children have their Easter eggs blessed. Photo: Jonathan Borg

Confetti flying through the streets as the statue of the Risen Christ makes its way. Photo: Jonathan Borg

People cheering as men carry the statue through the streets of Senglea. Photo: Jonathan Borg