Pope Benedict XVI has wished Orthodox Christians a happy Easter.
Orthodox Christians celebrated Easter one week after the Protestant and Catholic Churches as they use a different calendar.
The Pope gave his good wishes to Orthodox Christians during an address on Sunday from the papal holiday retreat, Castel Gandolfo.
In recent years the Catholic Church has been working more towards reconciliation with the Orthodox Church after the two parted ways almost 1,000 years ago in the “Great Schism”.
The Pope also spoke in favour of a United Nations conference being held in Geneva this week against racism and xenophobia. The Pope said that the conference was important as racial discrimination and intolerance are still in the world.
The Pope said all countries should unite in working to end all discrimination and intolerance. A number of countries, such as the USA, Australia and Canada have boycotted the conference fearing that it could be too critical of Israel for its treatment of Palestinians.
The Pope said he hoped conference delegates would work "with a spirit of dialogue and reciprocal acceptance, to put an end to every form of racism, discrimination and intolerance", reports AP.
He also asked pilgrims to "pray for the pope and for the apostolate, for the Church and for its unity".
-
Evangelical vicar accused of abuse won't stand trial
-
Christians protest LGBT nativity play where Jesus is 'King of the Gays'
-
Sarah Mullally reiterates apology as safeguarding record comes under the spotlight
-
The mystery of the Wise Men
-
The origins of ‘traditional’ Christmas celebrations
-
Pro-life campaigner who silently prayed in abortion clinic buffer zone criminally charged
Most Popular
News
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches
Every Christmas, people sing the song “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night”. Unlike many other songs and carols that include elements of non-biblical tradition and myth, this song is pure Scripture. It was the first Christmas song authorised to be sung in the Church of England. This is the story …
The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914
On Christmas Eve in 1914, many men were in the trenches fighting the war, but the spirit of Christmas halted the conflict for a brief period. This is the story …
Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land
Jerusalem Church leaders have released a report detailing the struggles and challenges currently faced be Christians living in the Holy Land.
Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?
For you who have been followers of Jesus Christ for a long time, maybe the pain and suffering of this world and the darkness you have had to live through this past year has gotten you down to the point of complete and utter discouragement. But all is not lost.