The liturgy began in the atrium of the Vatican Basilica with the consecration of the Paschal Fire, which was then used to light the Paschal Candle.
When entering the still dark St. Peter’s Basilica, the candles of the priests and then those of all believers were lit to the call “Lumen Christi” (Light of Christ). The Pope reached the altar in a wheelchair. The candles symbolize the resurrection of Jesus, which is celebrated by Christians worldwide. During the Easter vigil, following a tradition, the Pope baptized eight adults who came from Albania, the USA, Venezuela and Nigeria, among others.
The liturgy was also concelebrated with the pope by 94-year-old Cardinal Ernest Simoni, who was proclaimed a cardinal by Francis following meeting him during his 2014 trip to Albania. Simoni is one of the Catholic clergymen who were persecuted by Enver Hoxha’s communist regime.
“Sometimes we have felt powerless and discouraged in the face of the power of evil, the conflicts that tear relationships apart, the logic of calculation and indifference that seems to rule society, the cancer of corruption of which there is so much, the spread of injustice, the icy winds of war,” said Francis. “The Lord’s Easter urges us forward to emerge from the sense of defeat, to roll away the stone of the tombs in which we often imprison hope, and to face the future with confidence, for Christ is risen and has the direction of history changed,” explained the Pope, whose voice sometimes sounded tired.
The Way of the Cross at the Colosseum in Rome took place on Good Friday without Pope Francis, who was released from the hospital last Saturday. Due to the low temperatures, the head of the Catholic Church watched the evening procession from the Santa Marta guest house where he is staying. He joined the prayer of those gathered with the Diocese of Rome at the Colosseum, the Vatican said.
The strictest security precautions are in force in Rome around the Easter celebrations. Anti-terror units and special police forces monitor the area around the Vatican. The area around St. Peter’s Square was cordoned off and equipped with metal detectors. Pilgrims were able to follow the ceremony with the Pope on screens from St. Peter’s Square.
On Sunday, from 10 a.m., the Pope will celebrate Easter Mass on St. Peter’s Square and give the blessing “Urbi et orbi” from the central loggia of the basilica. Up to 60,000 pilgrims and visitors are expected.
