Pope Francis leads reduced Mass on Easter Sunday

Pope Francis leads reduced Mass on Easter Sunday

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Francis led the mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, in a reduced event due to the precautions of Covid-19.

He also called for vaccines to be shared with the poorest countries in the world.

“The pandemic continues to spread, while the social and economic crisis remains severe, especially for the poor. However – and this is scandalous – the armed conflicts have not ended and the military arsenals are being strengthened, ”said the Pope.

“May efforts continue to resolve conflicts peacefully, respecting human rights and the sacredness of life, through fraternal and constructive dialogue, in a spirit of reconciliation and true solidarity,” he added.

“May the power of the Risen Lord sustain the peoples of Africa who see their future compromised by internal violence and international terrorism, especially in the Sahel and Nigeria, as well as in Tigray and the Cabo Delgado region.”
He also addressed the younger followers, “especially young people in Myanmar who are committed to supporting democracy and making their voices heard peacefully, knowing that hatred can only be dispelled by love.”

The spiritual leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Roman Catholics made several references to the pandemic as he spoke, but ultimately focused on a message of hope.

“The risen Christ is the hope for all who continue to suffer from the pandemic, both the sick and those who have lost a loved one,” he said.

Francis also called vaccines “an essential tool” in the fight against Covid-19. Concern about the nationalism of the vaccine has increased worldwide in recent weeks.

“I urge the entire international community, in a spirit of global responsibility, to commit to overcoming delays in the distribution of vaccines and facilitating their distribution, especially in the poorest countries,” said Francis on Sunday.

Restrictions in the Vatican

The event marks the second consecutive year that Easter crowds have been prevented from meeting in the Vatican due to the global pandemic.

All papal services this year were attended by about 200 people at the secondary altar of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Easter Sunday is the most important day on the Christian liturgical calendar and marks the day when Christians believe that Jesus rose from the dead after being crucified on Good Friday.

Children flock to Pope Francis during the Good Friday service

Typically, up to 10,000 members of the faithful fill St. Peter’s Square. This year, Francis gave the blessing of the altar of the basilica to prevent the faithful from huddling in the piazza.

At an Easter vigil on Saturday, Francis said he hoped that the dark times of the pandemic would end and that people would be able to rediscover “the grace of everyday life”.

And on Good Friday he hugged and greeted the children who attended a special Via Sacra ceremony in the Vatican.

The pope’s travels were severely restricted due to the pandemic, but he traveled to Iraq last month for his first papal visit to the country.

Saturday’s service began two hours earlier than usual so that participants could return home before the curfew at 10 pm in Rome.

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