Pope at Easter Urbi et Orbi:
Risen Christ shines light on darkness of conflict
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| Pope Francis imparts his Apostolic Blessing at the Easter Urbi et Orbi (Vatican Media) |
In his Easter Urbi et Orbi address, Pope Francis prays that
the light of the Risen Christ shine in the darkness of conflicts around the
world, especially those in Syria, Yemen, Israel and Palestine, Libya, Burkina
Faso, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Sudan, South Sudan, eastern Ukraine,
Venezuela, and Nicaragua.
By Devin Watkins
“Christ is alive and he remains with us.”
With those words of hope, Pope Francis addressed the crowds
gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday for the Urbi et Orbi (“to the
City and to the World”) message and blessing.
He said the morning of Easter represents “the perennial
youth of the Church and of humanity as a whole”.
Youthful hope in face of sorrow
The Holy Father began his address by citing his recent
post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christus vivit. “Christ is
alive! He is our hope, and in a wonderful way he brings youth to our
world. Everything he touches becomes young, new, full of life.”
Easter, said Pope Francis, is the “beginning of a new world,
set free from the slavery of sin and death: the world open at last to the
Kingdom of God, a Kingdom of love, peace and fraternity.”
Jesus, he added, does not abandon those who face hardship
and sorrow, and he named the many parts of the world that are witnessing
various forms of conflict.
Conflicts in the Middle East
Pope Francis said Easter keeps our eyes focused on the
Middle East, praying that Christians “patiently persevere in their witness to
the Risen Lord”.
He said the world risks forgetting the people of Syria, who
he said are victims of an ongoing conflict.
“Now is instead the time for a renewed commitment for a
political solution able to respond to people’s legitimate hopes for freedom,
peace and justice, confront the humanitarian crisis and favor the secure
re-entry of the homeless, along with all those who have taken refuge in
neighboring countries, especially Lebanon and Jordan.”
The Pope also prayed that the light of Easter illuminate all
government leaders and peoples in the region, “beginning with the Israelis and
Palestinians,” and lead them to pursue a future of peace and stability.
African continent
Pope Francis then turned to the African continent, first
calling for the end to bloodshed in Libya, “where defenseless people are once
more dying in recent weeks and many families have been forced to abandon their
homes”. He urged those involved to choose dialogue over force.
The Pope said parts of the continent are “rife with social
tensions, conflicts and at times violent forms of extremism that leave in their
wake insecurity, destruction and death.” He specifically mentioned Burkina
Faso, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Cameroon.
Sudan, he said, is experiencing “a moment of political
uncertainty”, voicing his hope that all parties will be heard.
Pope Francis prayed that God sustain the efforts towards
peace in South Sudan, following a recent spiritual retreat in the Vatican. “May
a new page open in the history of that country, in which all political, social
and religious components actively commit themselves to the pursuit of the
common good and the reconciliation of the nation.”
Eastern Ukraine
The Holy Father spoke briefly about the continuing conflict
in eastern Ukraine. He prayed that the Lord “encourage initiatives of
humanitarian aid” and efforts towards a lasting peace.
The Americas
Turning his thoughts to the Americas, Pope Francis prayed that
the joy of the resurrection fill the hearts of those experiencing difficult
political and economic situations.
“I think in particular of the Venezuelan people, of all
those who lack the minimal conditions for leading a dignified and secure life
due to a crisis that endures and worsens. May the Lord grant that all those
with political responsibilities may work to end social injustices, abuses and
acts of violence, and take the concrete steps needed to heal divisions and
offer the population the help they need.”
The Pope also prayed for a “peaceful negotiated solution” to
the political crisis in Nicaragua.
End the roar of arms
Finally, Pope Francis asked the Lord to make us “builders of
bridges, not walls” and to end “the roar of arms,” both in conflict zones and
within cities.
“May the Risen Christ,” he prayed, “open our hearts to the
needs of the disadvantaged, the vulnerable, the poor, the unemployed, the
marginalized, and all those who knock at our door in search of bread, refuge,
and the recognition of their dignity.”
“Christ is alive,” the Pope added. “May we let ourselves be
renewed in him. Happy Easter!”
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