00:05It is Holy Week, when members of the Christian faith mark the days leading up to Jesus Christ's
00:11death and his resurrection. Around the world, believers carry out centuries-old traditions
00:16of processions and pageantry. In Guatemala, a burst of color, as worshippers in purple
00:22cloaks march through the streets carrying floats depicting the passion and death of Jesus.
00:28In Peru, a performance reenacting the life of Christ with actors in period dress.
00:35In one of Colombia's most conflict-torn cities, life-size statues are paraded through the streets.
00:43We want once again to consecrate our homeland, our country, to the infinite love and mercy of God.
00:50And in these times of reflection and silence, to call on everyone to always live in a spirit
00:55of love and peace.
00:57But in one of Christianity's holiest sites, Easter celebrations are taking place behind closed doors,
01:03according to a religious leader in Jerusalem. This comes days after Israeli police had blocked
01:09local Catholic leaders from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, sparking international condemnation.
01:19In the Vatican, Pope Leo washed the feet of 12 priests on Holy Thursday. It's a special ritual before Easter,
01:27aimed at emulating Jesus' humility and inspiring his followers to care for those in need.
01:33Earlier this week, the Pope sent a message to world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump,
01:38to find ways to end the war in the Middle East.
01:42I'm told that President Trump has recently decided to end the war. Hopefully he's looking
01:47for an off-ramp. Hopefully he's looking for a way to decrease the amount of violence,
01:55of bombing, which would be a significant contribution to removing the hatred that's being created and
02:05that's increasing constantly in the Middle East and elsewhere.
02:12Here in Taiwan, migrant Catholics pray, remembering innocent civilians caught in the war,
02:18as well as loved ones from their home countries reeling from the impact of the Middle East crisis.
02:25Hopefully, things settle down, and we see an end to these wars for the benefit of everyone.
02:31This Lenten season and Holy Week is also a call for forgiveness and peace, especially with the
02:41wars going on in the Middle East, in Europe, and in other parts of the world. We really need people
02:50to,
02:50not just to talk about peace, but really to act in a peaceful manner.
02:59Believers around the world united in prayer, holding to their faith,
03:03which they hope can inspire peace and compassion.
03:06Howard Zhang, David Santos, and Eric Gao for Taiwan Plus.
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