VATICAN (CNS): Just as Jesus removed the stone that sealed his tomb on the morning of the Resurrection, Christ alone “has the power to roll away the stones that block the path to life” and which trap humanity in war and injustice, Pope Francis said after celebrating Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Square on March 31.
Through his resurrection, Jesus opens “those doors that continually we shut with the wars spreading throughout the world.” The pope stressed, “Only the risen Christ, by granting us the forgiveness of our sins, opens the way for a renewed world.”
Seated on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, the pope asked the risen Christ to bring peace in Israel, Palestine and Ukraine and a host of other conflict-ridden regions in the world.
“In calling for respect for the principles of international law, I express my hope for a general exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine,” he said. “All for the sake of all!”
Pope Francis then appealed to the international community to ensure access of humanitarian aid to Gaza and called for the “prompt release” of hostages taken during Hamas’ attack on Israel October 7 as well as “an immediate cease-fire in the strip.”
Only the risen Christ, by granting us the forgiveness of our sins, opens the way for a renewed world
The pope said, “War is always an absurdity, war is always a defeat,” asking that the “strengthening winds of war” do not reach Europe and the Mediterranean. “Let us not yield to the logic of weapons and rearming. Peace is never made with arms, but with outstretched hands and open hearts.”
Easter Mass in the flower-laden square began with the singing of the “alleluia,” as part of the rite of “Resurrexit” in which an icon of Jesus is presented to the pope to recall St. Peter’s witness to Christ’s resurrection.
More than 21,000 flower bulbs, donated by Dutch flower growers, decorated the square and popped with colour against the overcast sky.
As is traditional, the pope did not give a homily during the morning Mass but bowed his head and observed several minutes of silent reflection after the chanting of the gospel in both Latin and Greek.
Let us not yield to the logic of weapons and rearming. Peace is never made with arms, but with outstretched hands and open hearts
Let us not yield to the logic of weapons and rearming. Peace is never made with arms, but with outstretched hands and open hearts
Although Pope Francis was not present at the Way of the Cross service at Rome’s Colosseum on March 29 “to conserve his health”, for the Easter Vigil and Mass, the pope appeared in high spirits while greeting cardinals and bishops after the Mass. He spent considerable time riding the pope mobile among the faithful, smiling and waving to the throngs of visitors in St. Peter’s Square and lining the long avenue approaching the Vatican.
The Vatican said some 30,000 people attended the pope’s morning Mass and, by noon, there were approximately 60,000 people inside and around St. Peter’s Square for his Easter message and blessing Urbi et Orbi [to the city and the world].
Stopping only occasionally to clear his throat, Pope Francis read the entirety of his Easter message and prayed for peace in several conflict hotspots around the world, including Syria, Lebanon, Haiti, Myanmar, Sudan, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
He also prayed for the Rohingya in Myanmar who he said are “beset by a grave humanitarian crisis.”
The pope praised the Western Balkan region’s steps toward European integration, urging the region to embrace its ethnic, cultural and confessional differences, as well as the peace negotiations taking place between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
May the risen Christ open a path of hope to all those who in other parts of the world are suffering from violence, conflict, food insecurity and the effects of climate change. May he grant consolation to the victims of terrorism in all its forms
“May the risen Christ open a path of hope to all those who in other parts of the world are suffering from violence, conflict, food insecurity and the effects of climate change. May he grant consolation to the victims of terrorism in all its forms,” he prayed, asking visitors to “pray for all those who have lost their lives and implore the repentance and conversion of the perpetrators of those crimes.”
On Easter, which celebrates the life given to humanity through the resurrection of God’s son, Pope Francis lamented “how much the precious gift of life is despised” today.
“How many children cannot even be born?” he asked. “How many die of hunger and are deprived of essential care or are victims of abuse and violence? How many lives are made objects of trafficking for the increasing commerce in human beings?”
The pope said, “On the day when Christ has set us free from the slavery of death, I appeal to all who have political responsibilities to spare no efforts in combatting the scourge of human trafficking, by working tirelessly to dismantle the networks of exploitation and to bring freedom to those who are their victims.”
Pope Francis also asked that the light of the risen Christ “shine upon migrants and on all those who are passing through a period of economic difficulty” as a source of consolation and hope.
“May Christ guide all persons of goodwill to unite themselves in solidarity, in order to address together the many challenges which loom over the poorest families in their search for a better life and happiness,” he said, praying that the light of the Resurrection “illumine our minds and convert our hearts, and make us aware of the value of every human life, which must be welcomed, protected and loved.”
