VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis’ Easter message calls for each one of us to hasten to meet the Risen Christ, the goal of our life’s journey and the hope of the world. The Pope’s call came as he blessed the faithful ‘urbi et orbi’ (for the city and the world) gathered in Vatican Square on Easter. The Pope also specially remembered in prayer the countries that are going through sufferings including war.
‘Urbi et Ourbi’ is the message given by the popes from the terrace of the Vatican Palace on Easter and Christmas days and immediately after the election of the head of the global church.
The Pope began his ‘Urbi et Orbi’ message with the call that Christ is truly risen and that hope for all has been reborn. Easter is a day to remember and rejoice that the Lord has overcome death and built a bridge to life. It is also the most important and beautiful day in history.
Easter offers hope that the human journey has a firm foundation in hope and that we can move forward confidently in the face of the many challenges that still lie ahead. Recalling the example of the first disciples who were witnesses of the Resurrection, the Pope exhorted us to hasten even them to share this good news with others.
The Pope prayed for peace for the beloved Ukrainian people and the light of Easter for the Russian society. “May this Resurrection Day be a comfort to those who have been wounded and lost loved ones due to war. May the Lord support peace and reconciliation efforts in Ethiopia, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.’ The Pope wished the Christian communities celebrating Easter in Nicaragua and Eritrea to be able to confess their faith freely and openly.
The Pope recalled Syria, which is still waiting for peace, earthquake victims in neighboring Turkey, struggling to recover from challenges, Haiti and Tunisia, which are experiencing economic difficulties. The Pope also prayed especially for the victims of international terrorism, for the peace of the people of Vichysia, Burkina Faso, Mali, Mozambique and Nigeria.