Pope Francis celebrated Mass in St Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday and delivered an Easter message at noon, blessing the city of Rome and the world. The Pope drew attention to the fact that only the resurrected Lord can push aside the boulders of war and humanitarian crisis on the human journey and open the way to life.
(Vatican News) On the day when the announcement of Christ’s Resurrection reverberates around the world, many heavy stones hinder human hope, just like the huge stones that sealed the Holy Sepulcher of Christ. Today’s monoliths include the War Stone, the Humanitarian Crisis Stone, and more. Pope Francis emphasized this point when he delivered his Easter message from the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica at noon on Easter Sunday, March 31. He pointed out that only Jesus “can push away the rocks that stand in the way”. the way of life” and open the door of life for us. At 10 am that day, the Pope presided over Easter Sunday Mass in St Peter’s Square for the first time. He then rode in an open car and went around the venue to greet around 60,000 believers present. He then returned to St Peter’s Basilica to deliver the Easter message and bless the city of Rome and the whole world.
The pain in the child’s eyes
The Pope personally read the message he had written for this Easter, turning his attention to all the Christian communities of Jerusalem and the Holy Land, and especially to the victims of the world’s many wars: May the Risen Lord Christ bring peace to the suffering of the people of Israel, Palestine and Ukraine, opening the way to peace. The Pope called for a full exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine, in accordance with international law: “A complete exchange on both sides.” As soon as he finished speaking, the audience broke into warm applause, interrupting the Pope’s speech.
Then, the Pope issued another appeal: “Ensure that humanitarian relief supplies have the opportunity to enter the Gaza Strip.” At the same time, the Pope also begged for the release of the hostages kidnapped on October 7 last year as soon as possible and an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
“We cannot allow the current hostilities to continue, to continue to have a serious impact on the already exhausted civilian population, especially children. We see how much pain shows in the eyes of children.. . smile They use The eyes ask us: Why? Why do so many people die? Why is there so much destruction? War is always absurd and frustrating! We must not let the wind of war blow more violently in Europe and the Mediterranean Sea, and we must not give in to the demands of weapons and rearmament. Logic. Peace cannot be built with weapons, but with outstretched hands and open hearts.”
Don’t forget where you got into trouble
Many parts of the world are in trouble, and the Pope mentioned Syria first: a country that has suffered the consequences of a long and destructive war for 13 years. Secondly, Lebanon is gripped by a deep institutional, economic and social crisis, exacerbated by hostilities on its border with Israel. “May the Risen Lord comfort the beloved people of Lebanon and help this country to fulfill its vocation to become a place of meeting, harmonious coexistence and diversity”.
Armenia and Azerbaijan are also on the Pope’s mind, having participated in a dialogue after the Nagorno-Karabakh war. The Pope wished them an early and final peace agreement with the support of the international community. Referring to the important steps towards European integration in the Western Balkans, the Pope hoped that “racial, cultural and religious differences should not be a reason for division, but should become a source of prosperity for the whole of Europe and the world. “
Pray for the victims of terrorism in all its forms
In addition to victims of violence and conflict, the Pope also thinks of those who suffer food insecurity and the consequences of climate change, such as those affected by drought and famine in large areas of Africa. The Pope prayed that the Risen Lord Christ would open a path of hope for them and asked the Lord to comfort the victims of all forms of terrorism and reform the perpetrators.
The Pope also asked the Risen Lord Christ to support the Haitian people and “put an end to the bloody violence that is tearing the country apart as soon as possible. May the country move forward on the road of democracy and friendship.” Speaking of the Rohingya people who are facing a serious humanitarian crisis, may they receive God’s comfort. Hopefully, Myanmar, which has been torn by years of internal conflict, can begin the road to reconciliation.
In addition, the Pope also prayed that the road to peace would be opened in Sudan, the Sahel region, the Horn of Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Mozambique. May the light of Christ also shine on immigrants and people in financial difficulties, leading all kind people to join in the same boat and help families who seek a better life and happiness.
The grace of life is often despised
The Pope said that on Easter we celebrate the life given by the Resurrection of the Son of God and his love for each of us. However, the gift of life is “often despised.”
“How many children are not even born? How many people die of hunger, or lack of basic care, or become victims of aggression and violence? How many lives are turned upside down” n illegally smuggled goods due to the increasingly rampant human trafficking?”
On the day when “Christ frees us from the slavery of death”, the Pope calls on “all political leaders” to spare no effort to fight the scourge of human trafficking, to work tirelessly to dismantle the exploitative networks of smuggling human and to free the victims.
The Pope finished by asking the Lord to “give comfort to their families, especially those who are anxiously waiting for news about their loved ones” and to bless them with “comfort and hope”. The Pope ended by wishing everyone a Happy Easter and granting forgiveness in Plenary.
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