Pope Easter Message for Nigeria, Kenya and Africa

Pope Francis sends his personal prayers in his third Easter Message for Nigeria, Kenya and Africa at St. Peter's Square in Vatican City, the annual Easter blessing urbi et orbi (for city and world).

Pope Francis prayed that the `'roar of arms may cease” in Syria and Iraq, and that peace would come in Africa for Nigeria, Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan and Congo.

He recalled the young people, many of them targeted because they were Christians, killed last week in a Kenyan university, and lamented kidnappings, by Islamic extremists, that have plagued parts of Africa, including Nigeria.
"We ask the risen Lord for the gift of peace for Nigeria, South Sudan and for the various areas of Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. May constant prayer rise up from all people of goodwill for those who lost their lives — I think in particular of the young people who were killed last Thursday at Garissa University College in Kenya — for all who have been kidnapped, and for those forced to abandon their homes and their dear ones." he said in his "urbi et orbi" address, Latin for "to the city (Rome) and to the world."