Pope appeals for ceasefire in Gaza as he leads 30,000 in Easter Sunday Mass

Pope Francis waves from the balcony of the St Peter’s Basilica prior to his speech (Picture: Alessandra Tarantino/AP)

Rallying from a winter-long bout of respiratory problems, Pope Francis led some 30,000 people in Easter celebrations on Sunday, making a strong appeal for a ceasefire in Gaza and a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine.

Francis presided over Easter Sunday Mass in a flower-decked St Peter’s Square and then delivered a heartfelt prayer for peace in his annual round-up of global crises delivered from the gallery overlooking the piazza.