France, April 20 -- Pope Francis appeared on Sunday in St Peter's Square to deliver a quick Easter greeting before a senior archbishop delivered his "Urbi et Orbi" benediction which, like last year, called for a ceasefire and a release of the hostages in Gaza.

"Happy Easter," said the 88-year-old Argentine in a weak voice from his wheelchair on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica to the delight of more than 30,000 worshippers and tourists.

Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the master off pontifical liturgical celebrations, then read out the pope's message

"The growing climate of anti-Semitism throughout the world is worrisome," it said. "Yet at the same time, I think of the people of Gaza, and its Christian community in particular, where the te...