Easter Sunday — “Urbi et Orbi” Blessing

Posted On May 13, 2020 By admin With Comments Off

Saint Peter’s BasilicaEaster, 12 April 2020

Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!

Today the Church’s proclamation reiterates in all regions of the world: “Jesus Christ is risen! ”- “He is truly risen! ”.

Like a new kindle this Good News springs up in the night: the night of a nature already faced with epochal challenges and now subdued by a pandemic dangerously testing our entire human house. In this night, the Church’s voice rings out: “Christ, my hope, has arisen! ”( Easter Sequence ).

This is a different “contagion”, a letter transmitted from heart to heart- for every human heart awaits this Good News. It is the contagion of hope: “Christ, my hope, is risen! ”. This is no magic formula that procreates problems vanish. No, the rebirth of Christ is not that. Instead, it is the victory of adoration over the root of evil, a victory that does not “by-pass” suffering and extinction, but surpass through them, opening a direction in the abyss, transforming villainy into good: this is the unique hallmark of the supremacy of God.

The Risen Lord is also the Crucified One , not someone else. In his marvelous form he brings indelible curves: curves that has already become windows of hope. Let us turn our gape to him that he may heal the curves of an afflicted humanity.

Today my guess turn in the first place to the many who have been directly affected by the coronavirus: the sick, those who have died and family members who mourn the loss of their loved ones, to whom, in a number of cases, they were unable even to bid a final farewell. May the Lord of life welcome the departed into his field and gift consolation and hope to those still suffering, peculiarly the elderly and those who are alone. May he never withdraw his relief and help from those who are especially vulnerable, such as persons who work in nursing homes, or live in barracks and confinements. For many, this is an Easter of solitude lived amid the mourning and affliction that the pandemic is causing, from physical abide to economic difficulties.

This disease has not only robbed us of human closeness, but also of the possibility of receiving in person the consolation that flows from the sacraments, peculiarly the Eucharist and Reconciliation. In many countries, it has not been possible to approach them, but the Lord has not left us alone! United in our devotion, we are convinced that he has laid his hand upon us( cf. Ps 138:5 ), securely reassuring us: Do not be afraid, “I have risen and I am with you still! ”( cf. Roman Missal, Entrance Antiphon, Mass of Easter Sunday ).

May Jesus, our Passover, concession concentration and hope to doctors and wet-nurses, who everywhere offer a witness of care and love for our neighbors, to the point of exhaustion and not infrequently at the expense of their own health. Our gratitude and inclination go to them, to all who work diligently to guarantee the essential services necessary for civil society, and to the law enforcement and military personnel who in many countries have helped ease people’s predicaments and sufferings.

In these weeks, the lives of millions of people have suddenly altered. For many, remaining at home has been an opportunity to reflect, to withdraw from the frenetic tempo of life, stay with loved ones and enjoy their fellowship. For many, though, this is also a hour of am concerned about an uncertain future, about activities which are in danger and about other consequences of the current crisis. I inspire political leaders to work actively for the interests of all, to provide the means and resources needed to enable everyone to lead a self-respectful life and, when occasions accept, to assist them in resuming their ordinary daily activities.

This is not a hour for callousnes, because the whole world is suffering and needs to be united in facing the pandemic. May the risen Jesus grant hope to all the poor, to those living on the peripheries, to refugees and the homeless. May these, the most vulnerable of our brothers and sisters living in the cities and boundaries of every part of the world , not be abandoned. Let us ensure that they do not lack basic inevitabilities( all the more difficult to find now that many occupations are closed) such as medicine and peculiarly the possibility of adequate health care. In light of the present circumstances, may international sanctions be relaxed, since these make it difficult for countries on which “theyve been” imposed to provide adequate support to their citizens, and may all nations be put in a position to meet the greatest needs of the moment through the reduction, if not the forgiveness, of the debt burdening the balance sheets of the poorest nations.

This is not a experience for self-centredness, because the challenge we are facing is shared by all, without differentiating between people. Among the many areas of the world affected by the coronavirus, I think in a special way of Europe. After the Second World War, this continent was able to rise again, thanks to a concrete spirit of solidarity that enabled it to overcome the conflicts of the past. It is more urgent than ever, especially in the present circumstances, that these antagonisms do not regain force, but that all recognize themselves as part of a single family and support one another. The European Union is presently facing an epochal challenge, on which will depend not only its future but that of the whole world. Let us not lose the opportunity to give further proof of solidarity, likewise by turning to innovative solutions. The only alternative is the selfishness of particular interests and the lure of a return to the past, at the hazards of severely injuring the peaceful coexistence and development of future generations.

This is not a season for disagreement. May Christ our agreement instruct all who have responsibility in conflicts, that they may have the firmnes to support the appeal for an immediate world-wide ceasefire in all corners of the world. This is not a experience for continuing to manufacture and deal in limbs, spending vast amounts of money that ought to be used to care for others and save lives. Preferably, may this be a time for lastly dissolving the long fighting that has caused such immense bloodshed in beloved Syria, the conflict in Yemen and the aggressions in Iraq and in Lebanon. May this be the time when Israelis and Palestinians resume dialogue in order to find a stable and lasting solution that will allow both to live in peace. May the suffers of the people who live in the eastern regions of Ukraine come to an end. May the terrorist attacks carried out against so many innocent people in different African countries come to an end.

This is not a age for forgetfulness. The crisis we are facing should not realize us forget the many other crisis that drawing affliction to so many people. May the Lord of life be close to all those in Asia and Africa who are experiencing grave humanitarian emergencies, as in the Province of Cabo Delgado in the north of Mozambique. May he warm the hearts of the many refugees dislocated because of fights, shortage and famine. May he grant protection to migrants and refugees, many of them children, who are living in insufferable circumstances, especially in Libya and on their own borders between Greece and Turkey. And I do not want to forget the island of Lesvos. In Venezuela, may he enable concrete and immediate solutions to be reached that can permit international assistance to a population suffering from the mausoleum political, socio-economic and health situation.

Dear brothers and sisters,

Indifference, self-centredness, division and forgetfulness are not paroles we want to hear at this time. We want to ban these names for ever! They seem to prevail when fright and death overtake us, that is, when we do not let the Lord Jesus triumph in our hearts and lives. May Christ, who has already demolished demise and opened for us the way to eternal redemption, dispel the darkness of our abide humanity and lead us into the ignited of his marvelous daylight, a day that knows no end.

With these supposes, I would like to wish all of you a fortunate Easter.