in your message urbi et orbi, Francis prayed for the martyred Ukrainian people and invoked the Easter light on the Russian people. He also asked the Risen Lord to intercede for Jerusalem, again shaken by violence, and for Myanmar, devastated by war. “May the Lord sustain all those who are prevented from freely and publicly professing their faith.”
Vatican City () – At Easter, with Jesus, “the destiny of the world changed”. And he also asks us today, in this time so wounded by numerous conflicts, that “we hasten to follow paths of peace and fraternity”. This is the message urbi et orbi that Pope Francis addressed today to humanity from Rome, on the occasion of Easter. An exhortation to bring the news of the Risen One to tormented Ukraine, scarred by war for more than a year, but also to the heart of the Russian people, to the Holy Land once again plagued by violence, to devastated Myanmar, to Tunisia, Haiti, Africa and all those places where Christians are prevented from freely professing their faith.
The Pope delivered his Easter message accompanied by Card. Ernest Simoni. The 94-year-old Albanian cardinal was personally familiar with prison and forced labor under the communist regime of Enver Hoxha. Before going up to the Lodge of Blessings, Francis presided over the Easter Day Mass on the esplanade of St. Peter’s Basilica, before a square packed with faithful and illuminated by the sun. During the rite, they prayed in Chinese so that the Church “proclaims the announcement of the Resurrection forcefully and preserves hope even in the midst of pain and death.”
This announcement was the central point of the papal message urbi et orbi. “In Jesus -Francis began- the decisive step of humanity took place: from death to life, from sin to grace, from fear to trust, from desolation to communion. In Him, Lord of time and of history, I would like to say to everyone, with joy in my heart: Happy Easter!” “May it be for each one of you, dear brothers and sisters – especially for the sick and the poor, for the elderly and those who are going through moments of trial and difficulty—a step from tribulation to consolation,” he added.
According to scholars, the Pope recalled, it is most likely that April 9 coincides with the date of Christ’s resurrection. And the pontiff underlined a common feature of all the witnesses of Easter in the Gospel accounts: the “good haste” in going to the sepulcher and then announcing to everyone what they had seen. “At Easter walking speeds up and becomes a race, because humanity sees the goal of its path, the meaning of its destiny, Jesus Christ, and is called to rush towards Him, the hope of the world.” And so “let us also hasten to grow on a path of mutual trust: trust between people, between peoples and nations.” The Easter announcement also illuminates “the darkness and obscurity that so often hang over the world. Let us hasten to overcome conflicts and divisions, and open our hearts to those who need it most. Let us hasten to walk paths of peace and fraternity. Let us rejoice in the concrete signs of hope that come to us from so many countries, starting with those that offer assistance and welcome to those fleeing from war and poverty”.
But our haste towards the Risen One still finds many “stumbling blocks” along the way. And so – also on this Easter – Francis returned to address his plea to the wounded world. Beginning with the war in the heart of Europe: “Help the beloved Ukrainian people on the path to peace and spread the Easter light on the Russian people”, asked the Risen One. “Comfort the wounded and those who have lost their loved ones because of the war, and make sure that the prisoners can return safely to their families.Open the hearts of the entire international community to strive to end this war and all the conflicts that bloody the world, starting with Syria , which is still waiting for peace”. That same Syria that, together with Turkey, is facing the consequences of the serious earthquake in February: “Let us pray for those who have lost family and friends, and were left homeless, that they may receive comfort from God and help from the family of nations.”
In these hours, thoughts also return to Jerusalem, the first witness to the Resurrection.” “I express my deep concern about the attacks in recent days,” the Pontiff continued. These facts, he said, “threaten the desired climate of trust and reciprocal respect, necessary to resume dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians, so that peace reigns in the Holy City and in the entire region.” He then referred to Lebanon, that he still seeks his own stability and unity: “that divisions be overcome and that all citizens work together for the common good of the country,” he asked.
In addition, the Pope asked the Risen One for “the dear people of Tunisia, especially the young and those who suffer from social and economic problems, so that they do not lose hope and collaborate in building a future of peace.” and brotherhood.” And then he implored for Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, and asked the Lord to support “the efforts of political actors and the international community in the search for a definitive solution to the numerous problems that afflict this highly troubled population.” “.
Looking at Africa, he expressed his desire for a consolidation of the peace processes in Ethiopia and South Sudan, the end of violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and recalled the victims of international terrorism in Burkina Faso, Mali, Mozambique and Nigeria. He asked the Lord to support “the Christian communities that today celebrate Easter in particular circumstances, such as in Nicaragua and Eritrea, and remember all those who are prevented from freely and publicly professing their faith.” Without forgetting Myanmar: that the Risen Lord, help this country “to follow paths of peace” and enlighten the hearts of those responsible “so that the martyred Rohingya may find justice.”
“It comforts the refugees, the deportees, the political prisoners and the migrants,” he added, “especially the most vulnerable, as well as all those who suffer from hunger, poverty and the disastrous effects of drug trafficking, the human trafficking and all forms of slavery. Inspire, Lord, those responsible for nations, so that no man or woman is discriminated against and trampled on their dignity, so that in full respect for human rights and democracy they heal these social wounds, the common good of citizens is always and exclusively sought, security and the necessary conditions for dialogue and peaceful coexistence are guaranteed.”
Francis concluded by quoting the words of Saint Isaac of Nineveh, who wrote in his sermons that “the greatest sin is not to believe in the power of the Resurrection.” “We believe in You, Lord Jesus, we believe that with you hope is reborn and the path continues. You, Lord of life, encourage us on our journey and repeat to us, as to the disciples on Easter afternoon: «Peace be with you! »”.
