Pope Francis delivers his traditional Easter message “Urbi et Orbi” – to the city and to the world – underlining how we celebrate today the event that gives us hope that does not disappoint: “Jesus crucified is risen”.
By Vatican News staff writer
All over the world, the Church announces the joyful news that “Jesus, who was crucified, was resurrected as he said. Hallelujah! ”, Pope Francis said at the beginning of his Easter message, broadcast live to the whole world.
He handed over his Urbi et Orbi message inside St. Peter’s Basilica, as well as last year, for security measures against the coronavirus.
He had just concluded the presidency of the Easter Sunday Mass at the Altar of the Chair with the participation of a small congregation. The Basilica displayed arrangements of Avalanche roses given by Dutch florists who traditionally filled St. Peter’s Square with flowers at Easter every year, but had to temporarily stop due to the pandemic.
The Easter reality of the Resurrection offers concrete and tangible hope and comfort, the Pope noted, but his message does not offer us “a mirage or reveal a magic formula” that we could wish for as an escape from the difficult realities of the world.
Among them, the spread of the pandemic, the social and economic crisis affecting especially the poor, but also, he noted the “scandalous” fact that “armed conflicts are not over and military arsenals are being strengthened”.
I hope it doesn’t disappoint
The paschal message of hope tells us concisely that “the crucified Jesus, no one else, has risen from the dead,” said Pope Francis, adding that God the Father raised Jesus, who fulfilled his saving will by taking our weaknesses upon himself, infirmities, the weight of our sins, even our death. Therefore, the Pope said: “God the Father exalted him and now Jesus Christ lives forever; He is the Lord. “
The wounds that Jesus carries in his hands, feet and side are “the perpetual seal of his love for us,” noted the Pope, and all who go through trials in body or spirit can find refuge in them and “receive the grace of hope that it does not disappoint. “
Hope and solidarity in times of pandemic
Pope Francis went on to say that the risen Christ gives hope and comfort to those who suffer from the pandemic, the sick and those who have lost a loved one. He also prayed that the Lord could “sustain the valiant efforts of doctors and nurses”.
He stressed that everyone, especially the vulnerable, needs assistance and is entitled to assistance, and vaccines are essential. He called on the international community to “commit to overcoming delays in the distribution of vaccines and to facilitate their distribution, especially in the poorest countries”.
The risen Lord is a comfort to the unemployed and those who suffer economic difficulties, said the Pope. He prayed that Christ could “inspire public authorities to act so that everyone, especially the neediest families” can receive help to avoid falling into poverty, a sad reality that the pandemic has worsened dramatically.
The Pope also referred to the psychological weight of the pandemic on young people, who are often forced to stay home without going to school and without visiting friends in person. He expressed his “closeness to young people around the world”.
Hope that brings peace to our world
Quoting St. John Paul II when visiting Haiti, “the poor of all kinds must once again begin to hope,” he said, while his thoughts were also directed at the “beloved Haitian people”, urging him to “look at the future with confidence and hope. “, and not to be dominated by the current difficulties. He stressed his proximity to them and that their problems can be solved definitively.
Pope Francis prayed for the young people of Myanmar “committed to supporting democracy and making their voices heard peacefully”, so that “hatred can only be dispelled by love”.
He reminded migrants who are fleeing war and misery and that “the light of the risen Jesus is a source of rebirth” for them, since in them we see the “disfigured and suffering face of the Lord” on the way to Calvary. This requires concrete signs of solidarity and human fraternity ”on the part of all, he noted, and thanked the nations that receive those who take refuge, citing Lebanon and Jordan, who have welcomed so many refugees fleeing violence in neighboring Syria.
That the people of Lebanon, prayed, “find the support of the international community” in these difficult times and persevere in being “a land of encounter, coexistence and pluralism”.
And “May Christ our peace” stop the clash of arms in “dear Syria torn by war,” said the Pope, where millions of people are suffering.
He also highlighted the “deafening and scandalous silence” regarding the suffering in Yemen.
Looking at the nation of Libya, he noted the hopes that exist for the end of the decade of bloodshed and unrest. In all of these lands, he encouraged all parties involved to “pledge” to end these conflicts and allow “war-weary people to live in peace” and rebuild their lives and communities.
Living as brothers and sisters
The resurrection takes us to Jerusalem, the Pope continued, where “we ask the Lord to give us peace and security”, so that he can “embrace his vocation” to be a place where “everyone can see each other as brothers. ”. He encouraged Israelis and Palestinians to “rediscover the power of dialogue” so that a solution can be found to “allow the two states to live side by side in peace and prosperity”.
Pope Francis also recalled his visit to Iraq last month, and prayed that the nation would continue on the “path of peace” and “fulfill God’s dream for a hospitable and welcoming human family for all of his children”.
Overcome the war mentality
The Pope’s thinking then turned to Africa, especially places that suffer internal violence and international terrorism in areas of the Sahel, Nigeria, Tigray and in the Cabo Delgado region of Mozambique, and prayed that conflicts would be resolved peacefully through the “ dialogue in a spirit of reconciliation and true solidarity ”.
Many wars and violence are plaguing our world, the Pope lamented. He prayed: “May the Lord, who is our peace, help us to overcome the war mentality.”
May prisoners of conflicts be released in eastern Ukraine and Nagorno-Karabakh, he added, and that the arms race be contained. He recalled that Sunday, April 4, marks International Awareness Day against anti-personnel landmines, and said that these “treacherous and horrible devices” kill or maim many innocents each year. He also emphasized “how much better our world would be without these instruments of death!”
Healed by the wounds of Christ
In conclusion, Pope Francis recognized how in so many places Christians celebrated Easter under severe restrictions, sometimes unable to attend liturgical celebrations. He prayed that these and all restrictions on freedom of worship and religion around the world would be lifted so that everyone could pray and praise God freely.
In the midst of so many difficulties, said the Pope, we must always remember that “we were healed by the wounds of Christ” and in the light of the Risen Lord, “our sufferings are now transfigured … where there was death, now there is life”.
He concluded by saying, “We pray that the benefits of this cure will spread around the world. Happy Easter for everyone! “
After delivering his Easter message Urbi et Orbi, the Pope gave his apostolic blessing.