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Pope Francis, in his address delivered in a New Year's Day service on Sunday at the Vatican, remembered his predecessor "beloved" Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, a day after the latter died aged 95.&nbsp;"Today we entrust the beloved pope emeritus Benedict XVI to the most holy mother (the Virgin Mary), to accompany him in his passage from this world to God," said Francis.&nbsp;

The pope presided over a Mass held in St Peter's Basilica as preparations continued for public viewing of Benedict's mortal remains in the same church for three days starting Monday.&nbsp;

ALSO READ| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-pope-benedict-xvi-passes-away-at-95-in-vatican-city-548306">Former Pope Benedict XVI passes away at 95 in Vatican City</a>

As per the wishes of Benedict, the authorities will hold his funeral in a solemn, sober and simple manner on Thursday. This will be the first time in a long period that a sitting pope will head his predecessor's funeral.&nbsp;

As January 1 marks the feast of Mary, the Mother of God, Pope Francis prayed that Pope Emeritus Benedict be accompanied by Madonna "on his passage from this world to God".&nbsp;

He further appealed for the establishment of peace in war-ravaged countries like Ukraine and Russia.

"Let us pray to our Mother in a special way for her sons and daughters who are suffering and no longer have the strength to pray, and for our many brothers and sisters throughout the world who are victims of war, passing these holidays in darkness and cold, in poverty and fear, immersed in violence and indifference," the Pope said.&nbsp;

WATCH | Pope Benedict XVI: The first pontiff in some 600 years to resign

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He appealed to the faithful to work towards establishing peace and not "waste time glued to a keyboard in front of a computer screen" but to "dirty our hands and to do some good".

(With inputs from agencies)

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Pope Francis, in his address delivered in a New Year's Day service on Sunday at the Vatican, remembered his predecessor "beloved" Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, a day after the latter died aged 95.

Pope Francis, in his address delivered in a New Year's Day service on Sunday at the Vatican, remembered his predecessor "beloved" Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, a day after the latter died aged 95. "Today we entrust the beloved pope emeritus Benedict XVI to the most holy mother (the Virgin Mary), to accompany him in his passage from this world to God," said Francis. The pope presided over a Mass held in St Peter's Basilica as preparations continued for public viewing of Benedict's mortal remains in the same church for three days starting Monday. ALSO READ| Former Pope Benedict XVI passes away at 95 in Vatican City As per the wishes of Benedict, the authorities will hold his funeral in a solemn, sober and simple manner on Thursday. This will be the first time in a long period that a sitting pope will head his predecessor's funeral. As January 1 marks the feast of Mary, the Mother of God, Pope Francis prayed that Pope Emeritus Benedict be accompanied by Madonna "on his passage from this world to God". He further appealed for the establishment of peace in war-ravaged countries like Ukraine and Russia. "Let us pray to our Mother in a special way for her sons and daughters who are suffering and no longer have the strength to pray, and for our many brothers and sisters throughout the world who are victims of war, passing these holidays in darkness and cold, in poverty and fear, immersed in violence and indifference," the Pope said. WATCH | Pope Benedict XVI: The first pontiff in some 600 years to resign He appealed to the faithful to work towards establishing peace and not "waste time glued to a keyboard in front of a computer screen" but to "dirty our hands and to do some good". (With inputs from agencies)

Pope Francis hails ‘beloved’ Benedict XVI in New Year’s Day address

Pope Francis denounced &quot;oppressive regimes&quot; in his Easter message on Sunday but in an apparent call for restraint urged world leaders to prevent the spread of conflicts, as tensions rose in North Korea and Syria.

Francis, marking the fifth Easter season of his pontificate, said Mass before tens of thousands of people under exceptional security measures in St Peter&#39;s Square following recent vehicle attacks against pedestrians in London and Stockholm.

More police vans and army vehicles than usual were positioned at the entrances to the Vatican area and the faithful were stopped at several check points leading into the square, which was decorated with 35,000 flowers and trees.

In his Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world) message, delivered from the central balcony of St Peter&#39;s Basilica, Francis spoke of a world lacerated by conflicts and laced with tensions.

From the same balcony from where he first appeared to the world on the night of his election in 2013, Francis spoke of God walking &quot;beside all those forced to leave their homelands as a result of armed conflicts, terrorist attacks, famine and oppressive regimes&quot;.

He did not name any specific governments.

&quot;In the complex and often dramatic situations of today&#39;s world, may the Risen Lord guide the steps of all those who work for justice and peace. May he grant the leaders of nations the courage they need to prevent the spread of conflicts and to put a halt to the arms trade,&quot; he said.

Francis spoke hours after North Korea warned the United States to end its &quot;military hysteria&quot; or face retaliation as a US aircraft carrier group steamed towards the region and the reclusive state marked the 105th birth anniversary of its founding father.

Concern has grown since the US Navy fired 59 Tomahawk missiles at a Syrian airfield last week in response to a deadlygas attack. That raised questions about US President DonaldTrump&#39;s plans for North Korea, which has conducted missile andnuclear tests in defiance of United Nations and unilateral sanctions.

Francis also condemned the bomb blast on a crowded Syrian bus convoy that killed at least 112 people outside Aleppo as an &quot;ignoble&quot; attack, asking God to bring healing and comfort to civilian population in what he called the &quot;beloved and martyred Syria&quot;.

Speaking on the most important day in the Christian liturgical calendar, he called for peace in South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ukraine.

A surprise downpour hit Rome as the Mass was held but it passed quickly, allowing Francis to ride around in an open popemobile so people at the back of the crowd could see him.

Repeatedly during Holy Week services, Francis has drawn attention to the plight of war victims, refugees and migrants.

On Good Friday, he spoke of the &quot;shame&quot; of humanity becoming inured to daily scenes of bombed cities and drowning migrants.

(Reuters)

Francis urged world leaders to prevent spread of conflict as tensions are on the rise in the Korean peninsula and Syria

Pope Francis denounced "oppressive regimes" in his Easter message on Sunday but in an apparent call for restraint urged world leaders to prevent the spread of conflicts, as tensions rose in North Korea and Syria. Francis, marking the fifth Easter season of his pontificate, said Mass before tens of thousands of people under exceptional security measures in St Peter's Square following recent vehicle attacks against pedestrians in London and Stockholm. More police vans and army vehicles than usual were positioned at the entrances to the Vatican area and the faithful were stopped at several check points leading into the square, which was decorated with 35,000 flowers and trees. In his Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world) message, delivered from the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica, Francis spoke of a world lacerated by conflicts and laced with tensions. From the same balcony from where he first appeared to the world on the night of his election in 2013, Francis spoke of God walking "beside all those forced to leave their homelands as a result of armed conflicts, terrorist attacks, famine and oppressive regimes". He did not name any specific governments. "In the complex and often dramatic situations of today's world, may the Risen Lord guide the steps of all those who work for justice and peace. May he grant the leaders of nations the courage they need to prevent the spread of conflicts and to put a halt to the arms trade," he said. Francis spoke hours after North Korea warned the United States to end its "military hysteria" or face retaliation as a US aircraft carrier group steamed towards the region and the reclusive state marked the 105th birth anniversary of its founding father. Concern has grown since the US Navy fired 59 Tomahawk missiles at a Syrian airfield last week in response to a deadlygas attack. That raised questions about US President DonaldTrump's plans for North Korea, which has conducted missile andnuclear tests in defiance of United Nations and unilateral sanctions. Francis also condemned the bomb blast on a crowded Syrian bus convoy that killed at least 112 people outside Aleppo as an "ignoble" attack, asking God to bring healing and comfort to civilian population in what he called the "beloved and martyred Syria". Speaking on the most important day in the Christian liturgical calendar, he called for peace in South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ukraine. A surprise downpour hit Rome as the Mass was held but it passed quickly, allowing Francis to ride around in an open popemobile so people at the back of the crowd could see him. Repeatedly during Holy Week services, Francis has drawn attention to the plight of war victims, refugees and migrants. On Good Friday, he spoke of the "shame" of humanity becoming inured to daily scenes of bombed cities and drowning migrants. (Reuters)

On Easter, Pope Francis denounces 'oppressive regimes'