Pope sends Easter greetings to faithful of the Eastern Churches

Pope Francis sent greetings to the faithful of the Eastern Churches who began their Easter celebrations yesterday, according to the Julian calendar. In his address to pilgrims gathered in St Peter's Square for the Regina Coeli prayer, he said: "May the Risen Lord bring to our brothers of the Eastern Churches all the gifts of His light and His peace. Christos anesti!" Vatican Radio informs.

Earlier, in a message through his @Pontifex Twitter account, the Pope said "I address a cordial greeting to the faithful of the Eastern Churches who are celebrating Holy Pascha today. Χριστὸς ἀνέστη!"

Meanwhile during negotiations in Minsk, on the occasion of the Eastern Orthodox Easter, it was agreed that Ukrainian government forces and Russia-backed separatists were to observe a comprehensive cease-fire in the south-east of Ukraine where the festivity is observed both by the Orthodox and by Greek Catholics.

The armistice was supposed to go into effect at midnight Saturday, but according to Ukrainian government sources a soldier was killed and several wounded on Sunday in the country's east in what appears to be a violation of the armistice.

In a message, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, urged the faithful to bear witness to the love of their neighbors amid the atrocities of the contemporary world which, he said, is torn by terrorism, wars and suffering.