VATICAN CITY: Pope appeals for halt to killings in Mideast!

• Pope Francis urged "that a swift end may be brought to the carnage" in Syria.

Pope Francis on Sunday called for an end to "carnage" in Syria and "reconciliation" in the Middle East in his traditional Easter message.

"Today we implore fruits of peace upon the entire world, beginning with the beloved and long-suffering land of Syria," the pontiff said in the Urbi et Orbi (To the City and the World) address.

Appealing to the "consciences of all political and military leaders," Pope Francis urged "that a swift end may be brought to the carnage" in Syria as 80,000 pilgrims listened in St Peter's Square and millions watched the speech broadcast live around the world.

Pope Francis asked that "provisions be made to facilitate access to the aid so urgently needed by our brothers and sisters, while also ensuring fitting conditions for the return of the displaced" to Syria.